January 1-December 31, 1781 155

feeble unless we get the Articles above mention'd, The field peices are
much wanting with a sufficient quantity of Iron Shott & Muskett
powder, having none of this latter Article, we have about fourteen
barrells of cannon Powder formerly brought from Talbot County
about 250 indifferent arms, 140 Cartouch boxes and some canteens,
I have had the old gun barrells examined & am informed by proper
judges of the makes that forty of them are very good, which I could
get immediately stocked if I could be supplied with good Gun locks
& mounting, nothing shall be wanting on our part & I make not the
least Doubt of receiving from y^r Ex^cy every necessary assistance. It
has been but a few days since our Classes have been out & we have
already fifteen good recruits & we have the greatest expectations of
geting our number & shall gladly receive any orders which you may
think necessary to give
P. S. Cap^t Tilden who will deliver you this letter, has been kind
enough to undertake this expedition

March 31

[Le Chev D'Anmours, Consul General of France for the five
Southern States, Balto., to Gov. Lee.]

I had the honour of writing to your Excellency the 19^th of Novem-
ber last on account of the taxes which this State demanded from his
most Christian Majesty's Subjects settled in it, with his approbation
and under the protection of his flag. I expected that the honourable
house of Assembly then sitting would have paid a proper regard
to what I had the honour of observing to your Excellency upon that
Subject it is with real pain, Sir, that I find the determination of the
Assembly has destroy'd that hope, and it affects me the more as the
Consequences must be of Course disagreeable to both Nations. Give
me leave Sir to resume that Subject and set it in its proper light.
The Americans setled in France Enjoy the most unlimited Liberty
with respect both to their persons & properties. Not one of them is
Subject to any personal or pecuniary Duty, their ships & trade find
there the most unbounded protection their Sailors not only are not
pressed for the royal Navy (a Step which the unity of the Interests
of France & America might Justify) but even they Can not desert
without being immediately apprehended at the Expence of the Prince
& delivered to theirs Claymers, their Flag is respected there in as high
a degree as any of those with which France has been in alliance for
many ages, has she met with the same advantages here ? I will say
that she had a Right to Expect it, and that right was grounded upon
the Broad basis of retaliation, the laws of friendship and the prin-
ciples of an alliance founded upon disinterestedness in both sides yet,
Sir, the State tax Commissioners & Collectors every day threaten his
Majesty's Subjects if they do not pay to force them to do it by the
most violent means. I am obliged by my duty to forbid them to do
it; and if the Commissioners proceed on & execute their menaces;

March 31
Brown Book
No. 8
Letter 46