January 1-December 31, 1781 153

The Annapolis & Baltimore lay at Baltimore & the Conqueror
here — the above sum is not more then the cost of the Iron Work in
them.

March 29

[John Smith Brookes, U. Marlbro, to The Honb^le The Governor
& Council.] (By Capt. Clegett)

My necessity presses me again to urge the favour, of your sup-
plying me with a sum of Money about £500 would pay my debts
and enable me to send forward the Beef to Frederick, I have not a
shilling even to pay the drivers expences to Frederick or I should
have sent them off before this — my cattle are now all collected and
I shall send them off on Monday if you enable me to pay the Ex-
pences of driving.

March 30

[Thos. Johnson Esq. Fred^k Town, to Gov. Lee]

Col^o Wood just now called on me and shewed me the late Reso-
lution of Congress respecting the British Convention Troops from

which it seems we are still to have them in our State at such place as

our Executive may direct. I think he told me that he should inclose
you a Copy. Inconvenient as it is to have them in our State at all and
disagreeable as it is to the Individuals who are in the same Town
with, and it is not more so to any Body than myself I should not have
so much Repugnance to their being here if I did not believe the public
Safety eventually in Danger we are too near the Water peopled and
armed as we are to have such a number of the Enemy with us at a
Time when every Thing points out the views of the British to be
against Virg^a and this State. As the prisoners are to be removed
from Fort Fred^k may it not be proper to remove the conventioners
to that place a push for their Release would not so probably be made
or if made so likely succeed. Col^o Wood keeps it a secret that the
Officers and men are to be separated and designs to do so till things
are ripe to prevent a great Desertion which he is apprehensive of if
they know any thing of the late Orders. I flatter myself that you'll
excuse my delivering my Sentim^ts on this subject I would not be
thought to obtrude them on that or any other we have Reports of
two actions beween the ffr. & Brit, in both which it is said the ffr.
got the better though the British are in the Bay. I am afraid from
that Circumstance all is not well and am anxious to hear the Truth
of it.

March 30
Red Book
No. 4
Letter
116

[David Poe, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee.]

I receiv^d your Excellencies orders of the 28^th Instant, and in com-
pliance therewith I have sent Twelve Waggon Load of flour Con-
taining 119 Barrels the Invoice I have inclosed to the Com^sy of
Issues at your City. There is several Impressed Vessels laying here
at expence Would be glad to Know whither I may Discharge them
or not

March 30