January 1-December 31, 1781 31

[Joseph Wilkinson, Calvert County, to Gov. Lee.]

I Rec^d yours p Lieut. Skinner & by him rec^d the bullet moulds
2 Quires paper, The Bearer Lieu^t Norris now waits on you for what
cartridge Boxes you can Spare, & a Ream of Cartride paper if you
can Conveanuntly Spare as much.

January 20

[Robt. F. Hooe, Alex^a, to Gov. Lee.] (By Mr. Langdon).

Under cover is what I wrote Your Excellency on the 17^th Ins^t the
Person intended to be sent for the Cannon has delayed going 'till
Tomorrow. In consequence of Your Letter of the 17^th I dispatched
an express to W^m Carr Esq^r at Dumfries and another to Col^l Field-
ing Lewis at Fredericksburgh to engage and keep ready proper per-
sons at each of them places to ride night and day with any intelli-
gence of the Enemy that they might think of Consequence. I also
begged of Col^o Lewis to establish another below fredericksburgh
at or near to our Post nearest the Enemy, if it had not already been
done by Gen^l Weeden or Nelson. And I doubt not but these Gentle-
men will very readily and punctually give every information in their
power that may be thought material

January 21
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 43

[Geo. P. Keeport, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee.]
(Fav^d By Mr. D. Eavans)

May It Please Your Excellency I have Been working Ever since
Last Monday Morning at Fort Whetstone Point with Twelve
Labourers and one Four Horse Team: We yesterday Put Five
pieces Cannon on board Scows and Expect (If the Weather will
Permit) to have Ten pieces more on board by to Morrow Evening.
There is Several pieces Broke down which will Occasion much
Labour to Get off there is Scarce one Wheel that is not a Little Rot-
ton and Many Intirely Useless.
There will Be New Wheels and Axeltrees Wanting for the whole
and Many of the Carriages will want Repairing.
I shall Strive to have the Field peices Repaired as Quick as Possi-
ble If Your Excellency will please to send me up Continental Money
without which it will be Impossible for me to have any thing Done
(as the New money is not Taken in Town By any Person for the
Necessarys of Life) I have Been Oblidged to Borrow Continental
Money to pay the Labourers. Which I have Obligated Myself to
Repay on Demand.
There is Numbers of things Wanting to Equip the Field peices
which is Impossible for me to get without Continental Money
I have Given M^r David Eavans an Order on your Excellency for
£7765...2...6 a Ballance I owed him for Officers Buttons.
If your Excellency will please to send me Money M^r Eavans has
Promised to Bring it up

January 21
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 33