202 Letters to the Governor and Council

April 21

Receiv'd Baltimore 21 April 1781 of Richard Curson the within
Specified Articles agreable to Account p the order of His Exc^y
Thomas Sim Lee Esquire for the use of the State of Maryland.
Geo. P. Keeports

April 23

[Patrick Hamilton, Cecil County, to Gov. Lee]

When your attention must be taken up with the affairs of the
State, it gives me uneasiness to trouble you with a matter relative
to myself only. The great number of applications for relief, in con-
sequence of a law passed last June Session, empowering the Com-
missioners of the tax to relieve those who had suffered by the enemy
& the long indisposition of Col. Thompson, retarded the publick busi-
ness so much, that I never got the Tobacco Tax & second 10£ Tax
for last year settled with the Commissions before tuesday last. The
next day I sett off in order to make a final settlement with the Trea-
surer, but, unfortunately for me, before I readied his house, he had
gone to Annapolis. As the delay was not owing to any negligence
in me, and as I am now fully prepared, & will wait on M^r Dickenson
as soon as he returns. I hope your Excellency will not under a Scire
Facias against me. If necessary, the Commissioners say they will
certifie that the delay was not owing to me.

April 23

[Matt. Ridley, Phil^a, to Gov. Lee.]

I am informed by the Minister of his having wrote you relative to
my passage. He promises me every assistance in his power. He has
already wrote Compte de Vergennes that I may be expected & the
purpose for which I go. He promises me personal Letters on my
departure. I am now endeavouring to procure every influence &
recommendation I can & am in hopes if the state does but provide
proper Funds my attempt will not prove a fruitless one Be assured
my wishes are ardent & that assiduity shall not be wanting to com-
plete what I have so much at Heart.
A Vessel from the Havanah in ten days bring an Account of the
Arival of the Fox. Her cargo sold I believe at 32 Dollars. The
Spaniards went before Pensacola offers of surrender had been made,
but refused — ten sail of Line went from Jamaica supposed for its
relief. The Spaniards followed in two days after with 17 Sail of the
Line & 7000 Troops. It was however expected the Force there would
be in possession before either fleet could arrive A Vessel from
L'Orient sail'd the 23^d Feb^ry brings advice that 51 sail of French
Ships of Line lay in Brest. That Compte D'Estaign was at Paris
A great reform had taken place in the Navy. Compte Guichen &
Mons. LaGrasse had resigned. It is said Mon^s Maurepas has re-
tired & that the Duke De Choiseul succeeds him — that the Dutch
had given Orders for reprizals & the Northern Powers were deter-
mined to support them. The English had sent 28 Ships of the Line