January 1-December 31, 1781 279

with which he was bound to Baltimore and knowing it to be my duty
to examine all strangers who were under suspicious circumstances
I this morning went and examined him respecting his business and
destination and received for Answer that he was from S^t Cruse to
Chingoteage in a Schooner belonging to Rudolph & Armitage & after
selling her Goods which consisted of Irish linnens to the amount of
sixty pieces which are fine Stockings, Silk hand^s &c proposed to
return by way of Snow Hill I then demanded of him papers or Cre-
dentials of some sort to evince the truth of the Account he gave of
himself but received for answer that he had none about him having
left them at Snow Hill on asking him the name of the Vessel he
came in he was at a loss and could not tell this with what I have since
heard from Cap^t Gibson of the Boat by which this conies That he
told some persons in his hearing that he bought those linnens in Ire-
land and paid a Guinea for drawing them a Hundred Miles in that
Country makes me suspect that the account he gives of himself is
not true and that he may be from the refugees in the Bay or from
New York notwithstanding his taking the Oath of Fidelity to the
States which I administered to him and gave him a certificate I have
therefore thought it necessary to give your Excellency this notice and
to caution the Cap^t of the Boat not to suffer his Goods to be landed
untill you had notice in order that some further enquiry should be
made concerning the matter if thought necessary. The Mans name
as he tells me is James Delahonty and he says he has been frequently
in Virginia and hath some property there. I hope Your Excellency
will excuse this Trouble

June 10

[John Ross Key, Road to Georgetown, to Gov. Lee.]

I have the Honor and Satisfaction To inform your Excellency that
the Fred^k County Troops of Horse under my command are now
on their Rout to George Town, where I expect to arrive this Evening.
We are tolerably well mounted and Equipped and with Pleasure
I assure you I find a Desire and Anxiety prevails among the Men
that compose the Troop to render every service in their Power to
their country and wish to join the acting Men should your Excel-
lency think it necessary

June 10
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 80

[Jos^a Beall, Malbro to His Excell^y Thomas Sim Lee Esq^r]
(p^r Coll^l Lyles)

I have issued Orders agreeable to yours of the 9^th instant, And
Expect the Officers & men ordered will, Rendezvos at M^r Diggses
at the mouth of Piscatoway. But am afraid it will be out of
my power to procure Arms in this County to Equip 400 men.
Ammunition, and Cartridge paper will be wanted, If there is any
to be had from the Magezen, and cannot be otherwise contributed,
I would send some Wagons up for arms & Every other Necessary

June 11