January 1-December 31, 1781 365

especially such as are within the descriptions of the Act — I have
procured and passed five Horses for light Horse, some of them low
in flesh but hope to have them in good condition in Ten days or a
fortnight, and will either send them to Annapolis or deliver them
elsewhere, as it may be thought proper to direct me.
Have as yet got only four draught Horses but expect the other
two in a few days.
I took the Gear with only one Horse the Proprietors of the others
having none worth taking.
These Horses are also low in flesh and will require some time to
recover, However think the whole will be fit for use in a fortnight
some of them in less time.
This Collection has been rather disagreeable, as the people parted
from their Horses with great reluctance in general. I have in every
case regarded the ability & convenience of Individuals to furnish
Horses, and altho I might by a different line of Conduct have pro-
cured some better I flatter myself those I have got will be found good
Serviceable Horses, and will answer the purposes for which they
are Intended.

July 23
ed Book
No. 27
Letter 125

[Stephen Steward to the Council.]

I am going to send a Captain and Hands to the Head of Great
Choptank for a vesell we have lying there wee are oblige to arm her
to Get her over, wee are In want of a few Musket balls which I
should be obliged to you to lend me about 30 musket Balls two Quire
of Cartrig Paper and a Dozen of gun flints

July 23

Red Book

No. 27
Letter 51

[Henry Hooper Lt. Dor. Coty, Dorchester County, to Gov. Lee]

In Consequence of a late Act of Assembly for raising two Bat-
talions in this State, We have enlisted by voluntary Enrollments
seventy Recruits, and three by adjudication as Vagrants, which have
been delivered to M^r Robertson Stevens appointed by your Excel-
lency to receive them. We are yet wanting three to make up the
Quota for this County, whether it will be necessary to draught the
Militia for so small a Deficiency provided they cant be enlisted vol-
untarily in a short Time, I shou'd be glad of receiving your Excel-
lency's Directions. Godfrey Sullener is also sent with the other
Recruits a substitute for a certain James Griffith an infirm man
draughted in May last — inclosed are Depositions against a certain
John Broughton apprehended as a Spy who is also sent under the
Care of M^r Stevens to your Excellency. A List of Vacancies in the
lower Battalion will be handed to your Board by Col^o Thomas Jones
that new Commissions may be made out.
P. S. See Bundle of Informations ag^t disaffected Persons

July 24