January 1-December 31, 1781 239

goods on board. The Capt & an intelligent passenger says that three
fleets saild from Brest ab the 20^th of March supposed to be destined
for North America, the West & East Indies. Capt Josiah left
L'Orient the 27^th of March. I will endeavour to see the passenger &
be more particular by next Post, I am very unwilling to write any
thing I hear at second or third hand
P. S. The passenger, I am told left Ireland not much more than
2 Mo^s past, & says that a number of the Volunteer Association hav-
ing assembled [damaged] they were ordered to seperate, [damaged]
refusing a Regiment was sent them [damaged] an engagement en-
sued & another regiment having reinforced the first, they were both
drove & defeated by the Associates — several regular officers kill'd
among them a Col. Blackwell.

May 12
Red Book

No. 5
Letter 81

[Joseph Ford to Gov. Lee.]

The confusion the enemy has Kept us In for this month past, and
my Books being removed some distance from home has prevented
my Making a Return of Purchases in April to your Honorable
Board but as I have obtained nothing more than will serve the Militia
on duty here for a little time, I do imagine it is not so material.
Country make Salt is rising Very fast here, I have a sufficiency for
this Post, but Perhaps some others are not supplied in that case it
may probably be right to procure some it sells currently for f 5 new
money.
With submission I think it would be the best time now to pur-
chase live Cattle as they are low in flesh and of course would be
Judged Light and have them got into good pastures And a little
Corn given them would certainly be of advantage to the State.

May 12

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

And Please your Excell^y & Honours In Consequence of an offer
made me by M^r Richard Tilghman 4^th of Queen Anns County I have
contracted with him for two thousand Bushels of corn at 2/ specia
or the real exchange p Bushel as the money is to be paid immediately
and the corn delivered (as tis much wanted) I begg this money may
be sent me or I shall be obliged to sell the corn again to raise the
money, the exchanges in Queen Anns is four for one I am told set-
tled so by the Commissioners least it should rise would gladly pay
M^r Tilghman immediately — the price of this corn will be two hundred
pounds specie or eight hundred State if paid before the depreciation
goes further but as I have engaged to pay the most of the waggoners
with corn at the rate of Six Bushels p day, I would advise that one
thousand pound State money be sent me to defray the expence as
there will be rather a Saveing in it if the corn is bought now at the
above price — it may be ask'd why I contracted with them for corn

May 12
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 98