January 1-December 31, 1781 161

subject the Town to surprize and Plunder, without effectual Resis-
tance being made; and we are persuaded, that the Citizens would
most chearfully perform Garrison Duty, while the Enemy continue
to infest us, were Directions for that Purpose to come from your
Excellency & Honors; and that no Difficulty might arise by calling
out the Militia at this busy Season, we wish not it should extend
further than the Town, but that Directions might be given that such
Arrangements should be made in the Neighbourhood by fixing proper
signals, as to assemble the County Militia on the shortest Notice.
Having full confidence that your Excellency & Honors would will-
ingly, on every Occasion, promote the Exertions of this Town for
their Defence, and that the necessary orders will be given

April 4
Red Book

No. 27

Letter
No. 49

[Jos^a Beall, Lieut. Ps. Gs. C^ty to His Excell^cy Thomas Simm
Lee Esq^r]

It is not yet in my power to return you one Roll of a Select
Militia Company from this County, There are very Near two made
up, one in the Upper & one in the Lower Battalion, But those men
live so remote from Each Other, there is no taking from one to hold
to the Other without making it too inconvenient for the Men to At-
tend the Musters, And one great Obsticle I find is that of there not
knowing how far they may have to go to their Musterfield.
There is nearly a Company Convenient to Piscatoway and another
to Bladensburgh; I think if we had Arms sent to those two places
to make a Begining we should soon have full companys convenient to
those Towns, Which might Possibly Encourage another Company
to form about Malbro or Nottingham.
It would give me great pleasure to see Usefull arms in the hands
of some of our Militia, for at present, from the returns I have re-
ceived, there are scarcely fire arms Enough fit for use in the whole
county to furnish one Company.
There is yet a Considerable sum of money due from the people of
this County for not finding Substitutes in their Last years Clases,
many of them are pressing me to receive the old Continental Cur-
rency, which I have refused till I receive your directions therein,
which I could wish to have by this weeks post.
Wee have not yet reced the last Commissions Either for the
County or orphans court, The Latter is mutch wanted

April 4

[And. Buchanan, Balt Town, to His Excellency Thomas Sim
Lee Esq^r]

This Town being very Liable to be surprised by the Enemy and
the Magazines and Stores much in danger dont you think it Ab-
solutely necessary the Militia of this Town about fifty or one hund^d
shou'd be Order'd immediately on duty. I beg you will if you agree
with me send your orders to me without delay
11

April 4