January 1-December 31, 1781 151

[M. Gist, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee.]

I did myself the Honor when last at Annapolis to lay before Your
Excellency and Council a plan for establishing six places of rendez-
vous for the quota of Troops to be raisd by this State, which I flat-
tered myself wou'd meet your Approbation; but not hearing from
you since on that Subject I take the liberty of repeating the propo-
sition, and beg the favor of your determination thereon. The situa-
tion of the Enemy in our Bay, as well as the advantage arising from
the appointment of Officers to discipline the Troops at these places,
and the difference of expence in the Commissaries, and clothing de-
partments, will on examination display the utility of the measure.
The Officers under my command in this State were sent from
Camp for the express purpose of assisting in raising equiping and
disciplining the Recruits, these services cannot be renderd by them,
if the mode prescribed by the letter of the recruiting Act should be
adopted, in that case the Officers can have no military duty to engage
there attention; The Recruits raiS^td will lose the advantage of order,
regularity, and discipline and in case of an Invasion of the State,
neither of them will be capable of rendering immediate or effectual
Services; as a considerable time must elapse before they can be drawn
to a point to operate against any force of the enemy.
While the British Fleet continue in Command of our Bay, they
can obtain the best intelligence of our situation from whence any
posts of consequence, left in our undefensible State, may probably
become objects of their attention. This place in its present situation
(if attack'd) wou'd fall an easy conquest to a small Body of Troops
as the whole system of defence is totally derang'd; even to the want
of Musket Cartridges; the Commissary of Military Stores having no
more on hand than woud be sufficient to compleat 200 Men with 20
Pounds.
The Detachment preparing at this place for Camp are much in
want of Clothing I have directed M^r Denny to forward such Articles
as are ready at Annapolis by the provision Waggons, and to wait on
Your Excellency & Council for an Order on M^r Keeports for shoes

March 27
Brown Book
No. 3
Letter 22

[Joseph Wilkinson, Calvert County, to Gov. Lee.]

In consequence of five of the enemys Vessells laying of the Clifts —
I have ordered the Militia on Guard, And directed them to secure all
Craft on the Bay & River,
The enemy has been several times in the mouth Patuxent, they
landed last Wednesday night in S^t Marys and plundered several Gen-
tlemen of the whole of their furniture, wearing apparel, corn meat
&c If my proceeding in ordering out the Militia should meet with
your Excellencys approbation. I hope you will give directions about
supplying them with provisions.

March 27