January 1-December 31, 1781 397

[Matt. Ridley, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee]

I had the honor of writing you a few lines from Good Bridge
p D^r Goodwin. The Troop mostly got here on Saturday Evening
last and bating fatigue in pretty good health
As I propose pursuing my Voyage as fast as possible I have sent
the Bearer for the necessary papers. In mine p D^r Goodwin I men-
tioned the necessity of having the Act of Assembly & the private
order as to the limitation in the price of Tobacco & flour. I beg there
may not be omitted and that your Honorable Board will be so obliging
as reduce every thing they can to writing. My intentions were to have
personally waited upon but exclusive of tired Horses I find myself
much indisposed from the fatigue I have gone thro'. I must there-
fore crave your indulgence on the occasion
I am informed the Assembly have given powers to your Board to
grant Certificates bearing Ins^t for the claims against the State. The
one you were pleased to grant me some time ago is deficient in that
respect you not then thinking your powers sufficient for the purpose.
I shall esteem it a favor if your Honorable Board will please send
me one for the sum by the Bearer. The exact sum will be seen by
the minutes. The reports of the Enemy coming up have obliged us
to send away our Books and papers that I cannot tell the amount
or get at the Certificate but I hereby make myself accountable for it.
I mentioned when last at Annapolis about the order I got for
flour — that I could make no use of it & beg'd to be permited to return
it, which was agreed to. I shall be glad of a Certificate for this sum
also & promise to give up the order so soon as we can get at our
papers. The Certificates to be separate & in the Name of Ridley &
Pringle. The time the Monies were due from the State will be seen
by the Agreements. I flater myself you will excuse the trouble I
give — nothing but my indisposition & the confused situation our
affairs are in would have induced me to it.

August 6

[H. Shryock, Frederick Town, to Gov. Lee.]

A few Days agoe I Rec^t your Exelencys Leter But Was Not able
to sent the Horses By this time as the Letter Came too Late to hand
and this Moment Rec^d the Second and Must assure your Exelency
that I am in the Graites Destress that I am Detained at this Court
But Seeing the Necessity I Will Indaiver to Git Leave of the Court
to Go home for a few Days if Posable and sent the Horses With all
Posable Despach

August 6
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 132

[Pat Sim Smith, Calvert, to Gov. Lee] (p^r John Martin)

The Bearer hereof will deliver four Carriage Horses, Collected
by me in this County under the late Act of Assembly, I have been

August 6
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 128