24 Letters to the Governor and Council

January 16

[Fran's Ware, Port Tobacco, to Gov. Lee.]

May it please your Excellency Yours of the 11^th Ins^t Came to
hand Late yesterday Evening, in Conciquence of Which I have
Given Orders to the field Officers to notify the same to the officers
of their Respective batalions, With Strict orders to the Militia to hold
themselves in Readiness to march on the Shortest notice — at the
same time I think it my duty to inform you that we are Lacking both
armes and ammunition as you may Discover by adverting to my
Last Return of the State of Public Stores &c. Which I Expect you
Received by the Hand of Daniel Jenifer Esq^r a few months ago —
upon the Whole I think We have not more than 150 Stand of armes
both public and private Within the County fit for Service.
Therefore Wish you Could furnish us in such manner as to En-
able us to oppose the Enemy With Spirit at Least beg We may be
supplied with some powder that is Good

January 17

[Daniel Carroll, Annapolis, to Gov. Lee]

The Hon^ble Gen^l Assembly done me the honor to elect me a Dele-
gate to Congress, which appointment I intend to accept. I hereby
resign my seat as a Member of the Hon^ble Council,
I am Sir with every sentiment of respect & esteem Y^r Excellency's
M^o ob^t very H^ble Serv^t.

January 17
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 32

[George Dashiell, Somerset County, to Gov. Lee.]

I rec^d yours of the 11^th Ins^t last evening and in answer Assure
your Excellency that I shall use my best Endeavours to have the
Arms belonging to this County immediately put in order, relative
to the militia of the County I can only say that it is not in my power
to compel them to render their services to the State under the pres-
ent Militia law, If your Excellency think it consistent I should ac-
knowledge it a favour if you would make the Assembly Acquainted
with the refractory disposition of the Militia of the County.

January 17

[Jos^a Beall, Lieut P^s G^s C^ty to His Excellency
Thomas Simm Lee Esq^r]

The inclosed is a letter I receiv^d from Maj^r Lyles respecting the
appointment of a field officer for that Battalion, by which you will
see the Situation we are in with respect to Arms; And without
some greater fines inflicted on the people for non Attendance, & a
smart peanalty on Sheriffs for not serving Executions when put into
their hands, Militia officers will be but mear ciphers indeed.