324 Letters to the Governor and Council

June 30
Red Book
No. 22
Letter 12

[Dan'l Jenifer, Portobacco, to Gov. Lee]

This Serves to inform your Excellency that after much fatigue or
exertion, trouble, and bearing much illiberal abuse; I have compleated
the quota of Horses for this County (35 are already branded) tho'
not all so good as I cou'd wish, some being impressed against my incli-
nation. My intention was to have furnished the best in the County,
but was defeated in my purpose. The N^o wou'd have been com-
pleated in a few days had it not have been for the Refractoriness of
a few and the wickedness of others; in endeavouring by insinuations
to down the Credit of the certificates; Thomas Crackels and Sam^l
Mitchell ought to be made immediate examples of as does M^r Walter
Hanson Jun^r who deserves the Greater chastisem^t because he is, or
ought to a Gent. Crackels sent his Horse to Marlbro and Mitchel hath
conceald his. Hanson hath been very abusive and busy in crying down
the Cred^t of the pay Two attempts have been made to get his horse
(but both times he and his horse were from home) not that he can
well spare him, but all those who speak in the strain he has lately done
ought in my opinion to be made Smart. I shou'd Esteem it a favor
if your Ex^cy and the Council woud give immediate orders for the
removal of the Horses, as they have been and are still a very heavy
Burden upon my son (D^r Jenifer) He has but few hands and they
greatly hurt with the fatigue of Watching every night, a very valu-
able pasture which he kept purposely for his Mares and Colts He
readily gave up to the use of the State. It is now eaten quite bare, and
he is oblig'd to have Grass cut every day to feed the brutes with;
there not being a pasture worth a button to be had in the neighbor-
hood. The people set to Watch, some times fall asleep and then the
Horses Commit Trespasses upon an adjacent Meadow and cornfield ;
30 have been in two nights running. I hope Sir that those reasons
will be a sufficient apology for my pressing to have them taken away.
I cou'd wish Sir that some of the Horses here reed were ordered to
be restored and others that are better taken in their place, as there are
several very good ones to be had belonging to young fellows, who
ought either to spare their Horses, or render personal Service, a

valuable liuisc belonging to M^r George Kent (who is a good whig)

I shou'd be glad to have orders to return as he was the only Horse
his wife cou'd ride, when I took him I thought the case urgent and
that no time was to be lost or I shou'd not have taken him. As to
M^r Ridgates Goods they are so trifling I have not as yet done any
thing with them, more than to forbid the sale of any of the Hats
(except the Boys) Enclosd is the Invoice which he delivered me
16 yards of Firze seems to be napt Cotton and the Linnen sorry. The
Hats which he calls Carton are Carolina felts and N^o 1 . 2 & 3 of the
felts are only fit for small Boys. The others may do for Soldiers
which if your Ex^cy and the Council think worth having I shall take
your Ex^y will see whether this Invoice corresponds with the one sent