January 1-December 31, 1781 179

I

will inform you of the most proper place for such a post as well as
the utility of the measure.
I shall hope for your answer by his return

April 10
Red Book
No. 32
Letter 31

[And. Buchanan, Balt. Cou^ty To Jeremiah T. Chase Esq^r]

IncloS^td you have the best accounts I have been able to Collect
from the Mili^a field Officers as the recruiting officers are daily re-
cruiting men its Probable their may be many PasS^td since I have
received those acc^ts in the name of God shall we have a draft of the
Mili^a.
N B Tho^s Sollars, 24 men; Tho^s Rutter, 42 men; Benj^a Nichol-
son, 2 men; Myself, 4 men.

April 11

[Jos^a Beall, Lieu^t P Geo. Co^ty to His Excell^y Tho^s Simm Lee Esq^r]
(p^r Tho^s Telley)

Inclosed you have a letter I have Just reced from Coll. Fitz-
gerrald of Alex^a & another from Col^l Addison, though both intili-
gence from the same Quarter The request made from the People of
Alex^r I do not think I am at Liberty consistant with my Duty to
Comply with, unless I am orderd so to do by y^r Excell^y & Hon^rs as
I should thereby leave our own inhabitants Exposed to the ravages
of the Enemie
I shall immediately collect as many more as can Possibly be armed
& march down the river side in order to protect as far as Possible the
inhabitants & their Effects Beg the wagon is arrived on the way to
Annapolis for the accoutrements, for the arms I have reced may be
dispatched as quick as possible.

April 11
10 o Clock

[John Fitzgerald Alex^a to Col^o Joshua Beall Co^ty L^t of
Prince Georges C^ty]

I take the Liberty of informing you by direction of the Gen-
tlemen of this Town that the Enemy are moving up this River in
considerable force Consisting of Eight Vessells of Various sizes.
We have little doubt but they are intended against this Town & are
resolved to give them all the opposition in our Power Any Assis-
tance you can give us will be thankfully received but it must be with-
out loss of time as our latest Acco^ts say the Vessells are on this side
Dumfries. The Ferry boats will be in rediness for your men to pass
over — pray let them be well Armed

Wednesday
Morning
7 o Clock

[Jn^o Addison to Coll Jo^sa Beall L^t P. G. County.]

By express to Alexandria this morning ab^t 3 oclock, we learn
that a twenty gun Ship 2 briggs & 4 Schuners were last night at
Quantico in their way to Alexandria. Pray forward the Arms as
fast as possible we have some from M^r West but not half enough

Wednesday
Morning