January 1-December 31, 1781 41

power to Execute that Commission as I could wish the disaffection
of the people is not to be bore with and not in my power to Alter.

January 29

[Will Deakins, Junr. George Town, to Gov. Lee]

Being Informed that Captain James Lingan has made Appli-
cation for a Captaincy in the Troop of Horse to be raised for the
defence of this State, and knowing him to be a Gentleman of much
Merit and a good Officer, take the Liberty to recommend him as
such to your Excellency & the Hon^ble Council not doubting you will
think he merits the Commission he now Solicits. I am with the
Utmost respect

January 29

[Bernard O Nellie, Geo. Town, To the Hon^able Daniel Carroll, Esq.
Annapolis.] (Fav^d by Capt. Beall)

Cap" James Lingan (for whom I have a particular Friendship)
is very desireous of Commanding the Troop of Horse to be raiS^td
by this State,
His merit & great Suffering while in Captivaty Justly intittle him
to the Favour & Confidence of his Country. I therefore hope you'll
use your Influence with the Gov^r & Council in his fav^r Your Friendly
endeavours on this Occasion will Confer a lasting Obligation.

January 30

[Robert Armstrong, St. Mary's County, to Gov. Lee.]

Since writing you the 26^t Instant, a ten Gun schooner of the
Enemys came up Smiths Creek that Evening, Landed about fifty
men under cover of their Cannon, took Possession of the schooner
Kitty Cap^l Smith from Annapolis Bound to S^t Eustatius Loaded
with Tobacco, the Schooner was fast aground and partly unrigged,
which prevented them from taking her off, and about ten o'Clock the
same night they Burned her. The morning following they put three
prisoners on shore, by whom we Learn that there is a Fleet of sixty
sail (Including Transports and Privateers) down the Bay and that
they Intend to Baltimore and Annapolis a Plundering Voyage, and
in their Rout they Intend to destroy all Salt works which they can
come at; which I thought prudent to Acquaint you off

January 30

[Jas Hamilton, Brigd'r Gen'1, Fredericks Town, to H. E.
Governor Simblae] (Thos. Sim Lee)

I have the honor to inform Your Excellency, that on the arrival
of the British Troops of Convention here, I made a demand of
Boards & Nails to make the Barracks habitable for the men & to
give them reasonable space equal to their numbers, which is so far
from the case at present, that one half cannot Measure their lengths
on the few floors they have
To alleviate which, had Boards, Nails & Tools been provided, they
would have willingly with my authorising them completed the Bar-

January 30
Red Book
No. 32
Letter 35