January 1-December 31, 1781 29

as I do, Lawson with a strong party of Militia had cover'd them in
the Country. They destroyed all the Publick buildings and stores of
every kind in the Town (and the Publick works above it) except the
Tobacco Houses and Tobacco. All the Private Property except Salt,
Wine Rum and Vessells — was left pretty nearly as they found them,
and on the day following they Marched out of the Town, but
whether to reinforce a party they had before detached to Peters-
burgh, or to their Shiping was not known. I am afraid they meant
to force a Passage to Petersburgh and destroy the stores lying there,
which it is said are considerable, from everything I can learn, it is
their intention next to destroy the Works at Fredericksburgh, and
we are told by some deserters they threaten this town.
If they do attack Fredericksburgh which I fear will be the case —
their very best way to get at it will be by coming up this River, and
if they come so near I am afraid they will not go off without at-
tempting to destroy us. Under these apprehensions we have deter-
mined to put ourselves into the best posture of defence in our power.
And if we could be assisted with Arms, there is a prospeect of mak-
ing a tolerable defence. The Cannon & small Arms of this State are
all in use, and Publick Business seems at present so much confused
and deranged that it is thought of no use to apply to this Govern-
ment. If your Excellency could assist this Town with a few field
Pieces, or Cannon of any kind, with some Powder Ball and Cartridge
paper, they will be most thankfully received and returned again as
soon as possible. I am afraid you have no small Arms to spare, if
you have the loan of a few of them might be of great Service. Your
Excellency will oblige me very much by giving an Answer to this
requisition as soon as possible

January 18
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 41

[Sam. Huntington, President, Philadelphia, to Gov. Lee.]

Your Excellency will receive enclosed a resolve of Congress of
the 17^th Instant, requesting the Executive of the State of Maryland
to liquidate the Account of M^r Baker Johnston for fifty two Pair
of Leather Breeches which he purchased for L^t Col^o Lee's Partizan
Corps on account of the United States

January 18
Red Book
No. 9
Letter 125

[Sam. Smith Balt, to His Excell^y Tho^s S. Lee Esq^r]

I Beg Leave to recommend to your Excell^y the following Gen-
tleman as Officers for the Baltimore Town Battalion of Militia,
the Vacancies have happened by Deaths removall & resignations.
In Cap^t Dickinson's C^o; Jacob Brown I^st Lieu^t; John Hamilton
2^d D^o; Res^d, J. Cannon; William Johnson, Ensign.
Mercantile C^o; Richard Ridgely, Cap^t; Clem, Ensign; Ackermans
Comp^y; Frederick Deems, Cap^t; George Lux, I Lieu^t; Ackerman,
Dead; Wheeler, Dead.

January 19
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 16