January 1-December 31, 1781 247

Laws making further Provision (as specified in the Resolve) to
guard against the Abuses & deceitful Practices of the British by
making use of Papers & Clearances they may take in American
Vessels
The Measures recommended in this and the former Resolve of the
11^th of November 1780 become the more necessary, as our Allies
have not only suffered by the Deception of the British, but in several
Instances our own People in the West Indies have also suffered from
the French under the Apprehension that they were British, for Want
of Evidence and proper Documents to evince the contrary

May 19
Red Book
No. 8
Letter 26

[Dan'l, of St. Thos. Jenifer and Dan'l Carroll, Philadelphia, to
Gov. Lee]

We immediately upon receipt of the Letter you honord us with by
M^r Croxall, laid it before Congress, who referred it to a Special
Comittee We have some reason to believe, the measure proposed can-
not be carried into execution, as a report on an application to send
provision to Charles Town for the prisoner there was rejected. It is
therefore probable the report will go no further, than that the state
may send Tobacco for the purposes mentiond. The Board of War
having wrote to Gen^l Washington to know of S^r H^y Clinton whether
Tobacco wou'd be received at Charles Town to be disposed of
for the use of the Prisoners, his answer may likewise determine
whether it woud be received at New York. We hope to be able to
inform you of the determination of Congress by the Post
P. S. We return to the Treasury by M^r Croxall, the money which
was drawn for us we can make no use of it here.

May 19
Red Book
No. 5
Letter 83

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

Difficulties in Commanding Militia oblige me to be troublesome
to your Excell^y — Gentlemen accept of Commissions something dis-
oblige them & they reject them. I intend if possible to make my Bat-
talion respectable, if Militia can be so. I must beg your Excell^ys
pardon for so frequently giving you Trouble I inclose you M^r Sad-
ler's Comm, who refuses to serve & M^r Daniel Dennis Commission
2^nd Lieu^t & beg he may have one fill'd as first Lieu^t to the same
Comp^y I also request Commissions for John Stewart as 2^nd Lieu^t &
Thomas Constable Ensign to the same Comp^y. It is more difficult to
procure proper Officers than Men.

May 19
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 81

[James Wood, Frederick Town, to Gov. Lee.] (Hon^d by
Col^o Johnson)

I did not receive your letter of the 10^th ultimo 'till yesterday. 1
was detained much longer in Richmond than I expected by Particular
request of the Executive; and have since been so much Indisposed

May 19
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 10