January 1-December 31, 1781 223

the Company if fully Officer^d it will appeare not only on paper, but
On the Field.
The Subaltons Recomended are John Deaver Jun^r lately Lieu^t of
the 3^d Maryland Reg^t Resign^t 1 Lieut, Murdoch Kennedy 2 D^o
N. B. If the Company is not Officer'd as Recommended they will
dissolve.

April

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

As many of the Militia as we can Arm are now on duty in the
different parts of the Co^ty and as this will be the case the greatest
part of the summer or as long as the Enemy are in the Bay I am
fully satisfied that if some plan is not fel on to keep a select number
of men constantly together for the year they will not answer the
intended purpose of defending the Co^ty and will in a great measure
prevent them making a support for their Familys. For from the con-
stant changing and the trouble of getting men to relieve those that
have been on duty, the whole affair must be conducted in a very, con-
fused and purplexed manner, without the mens being qualified in their
duty, and their not having that confidence in each other that men
have by continuing a time together. And will have a very bad ten-
dency I am apprehensive, in harrassing the People more than their
feelings can well bear. Great difficultys we shall in all probability
have to encounter at any rate, but the time now approaches that makes
it highly necessary for us to conduct our affairs with the greatest
propriety. I have directed Capⁿ Ford to endeavour to purchase some
Brandy for the use of the Militia on duty as it can't well be expected
that Men can do duty without it. I am informed that two Ships came
into Potomack yesterday with several sloops & Barges. Those that
Capⁿ Thomas will inform you of are now up Potomack some where
above this. I shuld be glad to have your sentitment on the above.

April

[H. Hollingsworth, Head of Elk, to His Excellency, Thomas Sim
Lee Esqr., in Council.]

And please Your Excellency & Honours. I was yesterday called on
by M^r John Acord the Gentleman who owns the wheat mentioned in
my last who assures me the Wheat and Corn was taken in chiefly in
the sale of goods he having kept a store at the Head of Chester for
sometime past and that a strict observance of the Law is the cause
of such a quantity being on hand, that he has not removed a Bushel
since the late law was enacted, which I must acknowledge the large
quantity on hand is a strong circumstance in favour of —
have received no returns yet from the county Commissarys have
some Waggons below forwarding the stores, and should have had
some ere now removing them from the Head of Chester but the
weather has been so wet has discouraged it the Vessels has arrived

May 1
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 97