184 Letters to the Governor and Council

April 11
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 67

that a discovery of consequence will be made, I have long suspected
that Paul was carrying on a Trade with the English but am Con-
vinced that he was only made use of by others

April 12
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 65

[Thos. Sprigg to Gov. Lee.]

Agreeable to your request I have Attempt'd to March the recruits
from this Co^ty to Fred^k but they to a man Contend that they were
promiS^td a suit of Cloaths before they left the Co^ty and therefore
refuS^td to Obey, to Attempt any Violence would be thought Elegal,
and Attended with desertions, I am much Pester'd with them for
Provisions there is neither Beef nor Flour here, I hope some person
may be Appoint'd to take Charge of And to furnish them with Pro-
visions, Captⁿ Price a Cont^l Officer is in this Co^ty and says he was
direct'd to take Charge of the rec^ts I would be glad to heare from
Your Eccel^y as soon as possible, the Bearer waits I am in haste

April 12
Thursday
12 o'Clock

[Stephen West, Woodyard to His Excellency Governor Lee in
Council] (by Lansdale's Boy)

Very indifferent Health and Variety of disagreeable Circumstances,
have prevented my being at Annapolis; as I intended — every white
Man of my family capable of bearing Arms are marched with the
Marlbro Company to Potowmack. I am informed that several of
the Enemys Vessells were yesterday at or near Alexandria but did
not land any Men there; one large Ship ran aground near M^r Digges
wharff & lies there — most of the Inhabitants on Potowmack near the
River — Hanson, Roser, Magruder, Digges & others, I hear, have
abandoned their Houses — so have those on Patuxent, from Perrys
to Nottingham; & alarms are hourly spread of the approach of the
Enemy & of their depredations on both Rivers. I wrote to your
Excellency yesterday, that the Militia of this County, on Patuxent,
have no Arms, but 30 of those I delivered; all the others & those
which have been sent from Annapolis are engaged on Potowmack;
wherefore there is a pressing necessity for an additional Number of
Arms & Cartridge Boxes for the use of the Militia Companies on
Patuxent; I shall endeavour to see Col. Beall, the L^t, & the Field
officers of the Battalions this Evening on Potowmack & advise with
them as to some regular plan of defence for the County, which is at
present alarmed & bewildered more, than you can at a distance, per-
haps, imagine. I have a Confirmed Account that 2 or 3 Boats with
Men from the Ship aground near M^r Digges Wharff said to be of 50
Guns landed yesterday Evening but were beaten off by a party of
Militia there under Lyles — I have sent to him for intelligence which
as soon as I receive I will forward by the Post or otherwise. I have
seen a Man who saw the ships go up yesterday Afternoon 4 ships
a top sail schooner & Barge —