January 1-December 31, 1781 39

afterwards was preparing to Land a Considerable force but pre-
vented by the Militia who came in time to her assistance the Militia
in this Part of the County are Illy provided for arms and worse for
Ammunition being frequently called out and forced to expend with
a part of what hath been allowed them so that if the enemy should
Land any Considerable Body of men in order to plunder this part
of the County will almost ly open to their mercy. Many negroes have
gone from this Neighbourhood since the time the enemy Anchored
of S^t Marys.

January 26

[Dan'l Hughes, Balt., to Gov. Lee]

I received yours of the 17^th Instant with the prisoners and Ap-
ply'd to Gen^l Gist for a Guard of Soldiers to forward them to Phil^a
he informs me there is none to be had. I apply'd to Gen^l Buchannan
some time ago for a Guard to Fredrick Town for some prisoners,
but could not obtain one without a Special Order, which will be
necessary in this Instance
I understand by Cap^t Nicolson that if those prisoners are for-
warded to the Commissary of prisoners for the Marine department,
that they must be exchanged for those next in rotation, and that the
likelyest way to effect the exchange of the persons you mention
would be by a flagg to New York or the Enemy now in the Bay, or
to put them on board — Capt. Masters Flagg and take his Recp^t For
want of a proper officer at this place to take notice of the marine
prisoners, I have been induced to Act in that place, tho they do not
come under my department. Should a person for that purpose be
thought necessary at this place I shall have no objections to act pro-
vided there is an equivalent allowance

January 26

[Parole of Capt. Hann^l Lusk]

I do hereby acknowlege myself to be a Prisoner of War on my
Parole to His Excellency of Maryland, and that I am hereby en-
gaged until I shall be exchanged or otherwise released therefrom to
remain at Bladensburgh in Prince Georges and I shall not in the
mean Time do or cause any Thing to be done prejudicial to the Suc-
cess of the Armies or Navies of the United States of America or
either of them or have Intercourse or hold Correspondence with their
or either of their Enemies and that upon a Summons from His Ex-
cellency the Governor of Maryland or other Person having Authority
thereto, that I will Surrender myself to him or them at such Time
and Place as shall hereafter be required.
Witness my Hand this 26^th Day of January 1781
Hann^l Lusk
January 1781
Witness
T. Johnson J^r

January 26