January 1-December 31, 1781 235

[W. Smallwood, Charles County, to Gov. Lee.] (favored by
Ensign Arthur)

This will be addressed by Ensign Arthur of the 4^th Maryland
Regiment, in which he acted as a Voluntier from the r 7^th June last,
under promise of a Commission, but has not obtained it — owing to
his having been ever since with the Southern Army.
He claims his Rank from the above Date, and stands arranged
from that Time upon the new Establishment & now waits on your
Excellency to obtain an Order for the Quantity of Stores and cloath-
ing he may be entitled to, which you will be so obliging to order
for him.
We have no news in this Quarter. The Enemy's Ships left Patow-
mack about four Days ago The Inhabitants have been much alarmed,
and have removed most of their Property from the water side,
there has been nothing short of a State of confusion here for some
time past, but the People are now getting settled again

May 8
Brown Book
No. 2
Letter 38

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

I am inform'd that M^r Dorsey has receiv'd an order for a Consid-
erable sum of Money on the Collector of this County. I therefore
take the liberty to apply & beg that I may have an order if Money
is not in the Treasury either on the Collector of Harford or Fred-
erick County, I Have not been troublesome to you knowing the want
of the State, or if your Excell^y will give me an Order on M^r Calhoun
for the flour, say as near as I can at present guess 350 Bb^les It would
be a quicker & much more advantageous Mode for the State as to
settling that Business. I will in that Case give up my Commissions
on that quantity, M^r Bowley will deliver this — he is a party Con-
cernd & will receive either the order for the Money or flour, I flatter
myself I may be Certain of one or the other, The State of the Bay
has been such as made it Imprudent to bring up the remainder of the
flour, I Have now sent for it & shall expect it every Day, all the acco^ts
are ready for settling in order to prevent Disputes & alterations aris-
ing. It will be well for your Excell^y to appoint one person properly
Capable I will appoint another before whom I will lay the papers
& let them settle the general average this will prevent any referrence
hereafter, M^r Bowly will give you any other Information you may
want.
M^r Griffith has 90 Bb^les flour in his Possession which was sent to
the State I should be glad to receive an order for it
I enclose three Commissions

May 8
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 77

[John Smith Brookes, Upper Marlbro, to The Honb^le The Governor
& Council.] (By Capt. Bowie)

My necessity for a sum of Money to Transact the business I am
intrusted with, is so great that I cannot refrain from repeating my

May 9