January 1-December 31, 1781 203

under Digby and Darby to the relief of Gibralter. The French fol-
lowed with 25 & the Spaniards had 32 before the place, which if not
relieved was expected to Surrender in two months from February.
No account of the second Division 28 Ships of Line were expected
at Martinique & that Mons. Bougainville would come from there
here with 8 Ships & 8000 Troops
The Confederacy is taken by the Roebuck of 44 Guns & the Alfred
Frigate without firing a Gun The Captain is much censured: and if
all is true he deserves to be shot. The Vessell is a great loss having on
board many useful supplies & some Specie
I have to beg of your honorable Board to prepare my instructions
as fast as possible. I may be called hastily away & wish much not to
go without them.

April 23

[Sam Huntington, to the Hon^ble Matthew Tilghman Esq^r]

By a confidential person we are informed " that it may be de-
pended on as a certainty that a very considerable embarkation has
taken place in New York and has been ready for sailing for some
days with which gen S^r H. Clinton is going."
NB. the foregoing Intelligence was receiv^d the 27^th of April since
which no farther accounts have been receiv^d

[April 33]

Red Book
No. 8
Letter 30

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

Three Ships, Two Brigs & a Small Schooner lay opposite the
Mouth of our river, in the Ship Channell the Nearest ab^t 3 & the
farthest at 5 Miles dist. from North Point we are not able to discover
their Intentions. I Have the Town part of my Battalion under Arms
to the Number of ab^t 650 Including Horse & Artillery & Have taken
every precaution for the protection of this Place
Acco^ts from N. Point this Morning say they remain at anchor

April 23
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 71

[Rich^d Barnes, Leo^d Town to His Excellency Tho^s Sim Lee, Esq^r]

I find that it is impossible for the County to be protected against
our present Enemy by the Militia, to have them to collect when
they are wanted, and to have such numbers as are and must in
that case be, who are totally improper for the purpose. In conse-
quence of which I have taken the advice of Col^s Jordan, Fenwick &
Thomas, who are of opinion, that one hundred and Twenty men,
shuld be immediately raised, part of which to be Horse, and kept to-
gether whilst the Enemy continue in the Bay. I have so far agreed
with them in opinion, as to order from all the Companys of Militia
in the Co^ty one hundred Men of those that can be best spared, and
are most proper, to render service, part of which to be [Horse] not
exceeding thirty, which I suppose will take near a Week to accom-
plish fully, and to have them stationed till the Enemy return down

April 24