January 1-December 31, 1781 183

[Sam. Smith, Balt., to Gov. Lee.]

In Consequence of Gen. Buchanan's Orders I have drawn out all
that part of my Battalion of Militia which live in Town M^r Calhoun
will have Inform'd your Excell^y that there is not at this Post more
than Ten days Meat. M^r Keeport Informs me there is very little
Lead in this Magazine; but that 1000^lbs may be bought in this place,
He also tells that he has no Money to provide wood for the Guards,
to pay for Repairs of Carriages on the fort which will not bear
firing without he says he does not Act in the Quarter Master Depart-
ment & M^r Poe refuses the Duty of State Quarter Master, such
person is necessary, particularly as Gen. Buchanan has thought it
prudent to order out Cap^t Moores Horse, who will when on Duty
want Forage There are Two Comp^s of Militia in Patapsco Neck
who would more Conveniently Guard the North Side of Patapsco

than my Battalion one of my Companies at the Fort, another on

Fells point & the necessary Town Guards, will be sufficient Duty
for my Militia. There are a great Number of Dissaffected & others
who refuse to bear Arms, Indeed to whom it would be dangerous to
trust arms, & whose situation Capable & willing to do every Injury
gives great Discontent to those worthy's who turn out on all & every
occasion, they demand that such persons (where there is real Dan-
ger) be order'd at least 30 Miles from the Town, this is the general
opinion & I imagine if your Excell^y Cannot take such Step, that it
will be done in an Illegal Manner
I inclose your Excell^cy a Copy of M^r Richard Dallams Letter, in
Consequence of which I seiz'd John H. Cromwell, who was by
M^r Lindenberger Committed to my Guard, thinking it safer than
the Jail. John Paul & 4 others are Carried on to the Marquis, whose
Mode of Trial no doubt will be very summary, perhaps Cromwell
would be better Examined there Should your Excell^y think so, a
Guard from Cap^t Moore's Horse can go with him, I Beg your
Excell^ys attention to our want

April 12
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 66

[Rich'd Dallam, Abingdon, to Mr. James Calhoun, Merchant,
Baltimore.]

It appears by the deposition of Major W^m McPherson that John
Paul came on Board the Brig Nesbitt taking her to be a British Ves-
sell, and Informed them that he had two Vessells loaded with Flour
ready to be sent on Board on his return, one of the Vessells we have
secured, the other went off commanded by W^m Groves, before the
Major arrived, the Flour on Board this Vessell I am Informed was
Bought by John Hammon Cromwell of your Town & most certainly
prepared for the Enemy I have therefore tho^t it proper to give you
the Information that Cromwell may be apprehend'd on suspicion,
John Paul & others all now prisoners with the Marquis & I hope

April 11
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 67