January 1-December 31, 1781 19

sister States, but while they are so far short of those calls to which .
they must be pointed in the first instance, it would be great misappli-
cation to divert them to any other purpose and I am persuaded your
Excellency will think me perfectly within the line of duty in having
asked from the Board of war a revisal of this requisition.

January 15

[Dan'l Jenifer, Portobacco, to Gov. Lee.]

I shall be glad that your Excellency will immediately send forward
to this place 30 or 40 bushels of Allum Salt, as I have a prospect of
10,000^l of pork and the like quantity of beef provided the salt ar-
rives by the last of this week or the beginning of next your Ex^cy will
therefore be so obliging as to inform me what time it may be ex-
pected. The price I have promised for the pork is £240 p C^t and for
Beef 4 dollars p lb. the price for the beef they seem perfectly sat-
isfied with. But some ask 300 for their pork. They are in these scarce
times very fickle and must be coaxed as well as paid. The wheat I
am about sending to George Town, and by your Ex^cy to signify to
whom it is there to be delivered. Shou'd I receive the quantity of
pork and Beef which I have a right to expect I shall want more Cash,
having paid (when last at Anna^s) unto the treasury the Balance of
the money reed upon Loan
P. S. I shall be glad to have a Box of the State Sugar if to be
spared.

January 15
Red Book

No. 22

Letter 22

[Pat Sim Smith, Calvert, to Gov. Lee.]

I have received your Instructions to continue the purchase of wheat
together with an order on the collector for 6000£ to enable me but
fear tis not now to be got on the Terms I have purchased. The de-
preciation of the old money I'm informed has raised the price to
thirty pounds p bushell, and as I have been limitted heretofore must
begg to be informed if I am to go higher.

I wrote last week requesting to be supplied with Cash to purchase
pork & Beef and for Salt to cure it — if the money is not sent before
this comes to hand, M^r Thomas Gray the Sheriff of our County who
comes to Annapolis to settle with the Treasurer will take Charge of
it for me.

M^r Gray informs me he has a part of both the 10 p Cent & 15 p
Cent collection still to make, and as some persons who have Pork or
Beef to sell may prefer the old money to the new Bills, an order on
him to enable me to pay those who may give that preference will be
of Service to the purchase. Should it be determined to give me an
order a less sum of the new Bills will answer.
I hope I shall be furnished with salt immediately & directions at
what exchange to pay the new Bills

January 15
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 14