January 1-December 31, 1781 205

[Robert Ballard, Baltimore, to His Excellency, Tho. S. Lee.]
I am constrained to ask for a Priviledge, which is not induced
from want of inclination to serve my country, but from inability. I
am call'd on by the Officers of this place to enrol myself as a private
on some company of Militia, and to do duty accordingly. By a fall
from a carriage, I unfortunately got my Arm broke in such a man-
ner, that I am rendered incapable of bearing Arms. I mean a Musket.
I must therefore take the liberty of asking for such exemption as
will preclude the officers from all right of calling on me in future.
Col^o Forrest who does me the honor to hand this, will inform your
Excellency of the Propriety of my claim.

April 24

[Chas. Blake to The Hon^ble Mat: Tilghman, Esquire]

I rec^d yrs of the 18^th requesting a return of provisions, and order-
ing the bacon in barrels; the Salt provisions are all gone to Annapolis
by his Excellencys order, and the flour is now going off to the Head of
Chester by Col^o Hollingsworth's order. I have 740 bus: of Wheat
at Wye Mill trifling else where. I have four Waggons which will be
down to you by Col^o Hollingsworth's order in two or three days, to
draw any provisions in the hands of the Commissarys to the Head
of Chester or where you may direct.

April 24

[Dan'l Carroll, Philadelphia, to Gov. Lee.]
The Board of War having spared to the Special Council for the
Eastern shore, & to the Virginia Delegates a number of the Rampart
peices, I coud not obtain an order for more than 500, they have like-
wise given me an order for 2 four pound Brass Field pieces com-
pleat If 4^lbs Ball should be wanting it will be proper to mention the
number you woud have. It not being safe to send the arms by water
I presume you will order waggons up or some to be procured here.
The following is an extract of a Letter from Gen^l Washington.
"Head quarters New Windsor Ap^l 16^th 81. I have received advices
through different chanels corresponding with that transmitted Con-
gress by M^r Foreman. They strongly assert that a further detach-
ment is going from New York & that it is to be commanded, by
Gen^l Clinton, but they are not equally positive as to the destination
being for Delaware In the present State of Southern Affairs 'tis per-
haps more probable that Clinton is going to take the Command there.
The Letter from S^t Pierre dated the 18^th of March in the enclosS^td
paper is from M^r Parsons Agent for Congress — to the Board of
Admiralty. The intelligence from the Havanna is thro Don
Francisco.
Some exchanged officers arrived here in a flag from Charles Town,
they left it 13 days past & informs us that Gen^l Sumpter had taken
the Enemies post at 96 & made about 300 prisoners.
We have reason to believe the Confederacy is taken by two British
frigates.

April 24
Red Book
No. 5
Letter 78