January 1-December 3 r, 1781 275

[G^o Washington Head Quarters New Windsor to His Excellency
Governor Lee]

By a Resolve of Congress of the 31^st of May two Battalions of
Infantry and a Corps of Horse consisting of Sixty four Dragoons
are required of the State of Maryland to serve for three Months
from the Time of their respectively rendezvouring at the Place or
Places directed by me. Your Excellency has no Doubt, been made
acquainted that the foregoing Requisition is founded upon the alarm-
ing Progress which the Enemy are making in Virginia. You will
be pleased therefore to give Orders to the Officers commanding the
respective Corps to march by Detachment as they are raised and
equipped to whatever Place may be the Head Quarters of the Ameri-
can Army in Virginia or in Maryland (should the Enemy have ad-
vanced into that State) and take their further Commands from the
General or other commanding Officer. I need but refer your Excel-
lency to the Circular Letter of the President of Congress of the
I^st ins^t for the Reasons which ought to influence the Exertions of
Your State most particularly at this Moment.
I have the Honor to be with great respect Your Excellency's Most
Obed^t & very humble Serv^t

June 7
Brown Book
No. 1
Letter 41

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

I am honor'd with M^r Brice's Letter Inclosing a Law for supplies
of Clothing &c under which I have my appointment. I Had before
(Under your Excell^ys order) provided nearly the quantity of Cloth-
ing, order'd, it will be Completed in a very few days, when I shall
make my returns in Ten Days I shall have 200 Compleat suits of
every kind of apparell ready, & in Three weeks you may be assur'd
of receiving the whole 500 suits of Clothes I Have had no order for
any particular Number of Tents, if I am to supply them, I shall have
occasion for another 100 Hhds Tobacco, M^r Keeports Demands
will be pretty large. I Have already supplied him with 1200 lbs.
Lead at 14^d & I5^d & Have sent to Philad^a for a Ton & Have written
to Philad^a respecting arms. I Have dispoS^td of a part & sent for the
remainder of the Tobacco which will meet with a good Sale at
Philad^a. you may rest assur'd that Nothing shall be wanting on my
part to Expedite this very necessary Business. I would referr to your
Hon^ble Board the propriety of shipping 100 Hh^ds Tobacco to france
to procure Fall supplies, from hence or from Philad. or both, I be-
lieve good Vessells at one Half might be had to take in at the ware-
houses Clear of Expences, this is more advantageous than at 2/5 in
Philad^a the Diff. being more than sunk in Charges (Independent of
the Risk) I do not Consider the risk from this Bay great at present,
at Bottom you have a Calculation on such Voyage, should you Order
an 100 Hhds Tobacco on acco^t of Tents please direct the Treasurer
to forw^d Elk Ridge if any, or any that he has in Choptank.

June 8
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 90