274 Letters to the Governor and Council

June 7

I had on hand of the Publics if it should be settled in my favor I hope
your Honorable Board will do me the favor to give an order on the
Collector of the Tax for the Ball^ce due at my last Settlement and the
Amount due on the enclosed Returns the whole, Twenty six Thou-
sand Nine Hundred and Eighty five Pounds of Tob^o M^r Mills the
barer brings the Account as Settled by the Auditor General My
Account of charges, and coopers wages will amount to About five
thousand Pounds of Tobacco More I should be Glad if that could
be included.

The Collector has not discharged the Order on him for the Bacon
I purchased in money I have Given orders on him and it has been

settled in the way of Assis^t

June 7
Red Book
No. 29
Letter 44

[Colo. Benj. Nicholson, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee.]

Inclosed is a roll of a Troop of Horse w^ch I have embodied in the
Forest. They have agreed to equip themselves, but the scarcity of
cash will prevent their compleating it quickly indeed some of them
are scarcely able. The Holsters Caps and sword belts I believe are
ready. Pistols are to be had in this Place but I know not where to
get swords unless we get them made, w^ch was the intention of the
Troops. If the State could furnish pistols & Swords the Troop
might be greatly enlarged and would be in immediate readiness. It
was at the solicitation of the youth in my Neighborhood that I under-
took the embodying and com^d of the Troop. It is my wish to detain
my rank as L^t Col^o If your Ex^ly can consistantly encorporate Horse
enough to give me that Com^d If not tis the desire of the Troop to
be annexed to the Bat^ln to w^ch I belong & should it be enabled to go
on duty wou'd wish to go w^th them. If this should be improper —
I can't be worse than my word & must resign my rank & take the
com^d as Captain of the Troop I will use my endeavour to get them
equiped as soon as posible & I flatter myself when so will be useful —
You'l find among our number some Veteran Officers, who have left
the Continental Service & whilst in served w^th reputation
NB Since the writing the above Col^o Smyth informs me he has
orders to equip us

Benjamin Nicholson, Charles Carnan, Tho^s Cromwell, Rob^t Lyon,
Stephen Shelmerdine, John Colegate, John Cockey, Rob^t Carnan,
Joshua Gist, Tho^s Nicholson, Benj^a Todd, Rich^d Colegate, Bazil
Tracey, Walter Bosley, Rich^d Britton, Edw^d Ford, John Dodd,
Roger Boyce, Thos. Risteau, John Summers, John Gist, Joshua
Cockey, Benja Bond, Christian Gore, Ja^s Howard, Fred^k Counsel-
man, Jn^o Worthington, James Trapnell, Joseph Butler, Ephr^m
Owings, Rich^d Johns, Tho^s Cradock, John Bryson.