374 Letters to the Governor and Council

July 30

they will stay till your directions are known, the sooner they are
ordered from the Co^ty I think the better, as it will be very difficult to
keep them together in it, There are many men drafted that have large
Familys without any one to assist them to work, and have rent to pay
which will be the ruin of themselves and familys, If they are obliged
to march, and others not able bodyed ! What must be done with such.
Your directions on the above will oblige Your most ob^t Serv^t

July 30

[George Murdock, Fred. Town, to His Excellency Gov^r Lee]
(By Col. Stricker)

When your Excellency was here, I proposed coming down soon
in order to get money to enable me to close my public Account,
but as I am one of the Jurymen attending Court here and it is uncer-
tain when I may be discharged from that business, If you think
proper, be pleased to send me by Col Stricker Two or Three Hundred
Pounds.

July 30
Brown Book
No. 7
Letter 65

[Lafayette, Malvern Hill, to Gov. Lee.]

As I have had no advice of the march of the Maryland levies, I
take the liberty of informing myself, through your Excellency,
whether it has yet taken place, Circumstanced as we are, a very small
reinforcement is very sensibly felt, The enemy too appearing to
waver in their movements, makes additions more consequential; not
only to this State, but to Maryland. I have long been of opinion that,
if we can but collect a respectable army in this quarter, we have
little to fear, for yours. It is therefore I hope, that the calling out or
arranging the select body of Militia, to act in Virginia is still vigor-
ously persued. Languor in our public exertions for this campaign,
may not perhaps be balanced by the most strenuous in future.

It is some time since an embarkation was made at Portsmouth

and since the vessels fell down to Hampton road. The troops on
board may amount to about 12 or 1300. My last accounts are of the
28^th It is said, pilots have been taken on board, acquainted with the
upper part of Chesepeak, and, they give out, the armament is destined
for Baltimore. It has for several days, had the most favorable winds
to proceed up the Bay, But, as it seems to be complete, its not going,
is one proof, that, its destination is elsewhere.
Were I to conjecture on this occasion, it would be, that it is de-
signed for New York; but, that some recent circumstance, has sus-
pended its sailing. It is true, however, that the place of the British
ministry is to carry their arms into Maryland; and without great
exertions here, and further Southward, or a naval superiority, I do
not see how it is to be prevented,
Permit me again, therefore to suggest to your Excellency, the vast
importance of preparing the powers of your State, for the support
of this. It is true, the uncertainty which appears in the enemy's