January 1-December 31, 1781 411

[Jn^o D. Thompson, Cecil County to His Excellency Thomas Sim
Lee, Esq^r] (p^r Mr. Concoa)

There are something above fifty men enrolled in this county to
serve untill the 10^th day of December next, the most of them since
the time limited by law, that is the 16^th July last — it is the opinion
of many gentlemen here and some of the delegates, that those who
have enrolled themselves voluntarily, may recieve the twenty dollars
bounty, Cloaths &c^a under this idea we have Procured the above
men, and indeed I doubt not, but it has been Promised them, in a very
few days the whole will be compleated, the Principal Part of which
are young men Americans born, and in whom the country can put
confidence, if these young men receive their bounty and cloaths. I am
all but certain, that there are but very few of them but what will
continue in the Service; I must therefore Pray your Excellency will
render us, every assistance in your Power, and send me up as much
money as will answer this purpose, a negative to this requisition will
throw us into confusion, and those already enrolled will move with
reluctance, and I fear Put a stop to others enrolling. Draughted men,
who are forced out will render very little assistance or rather do no
good. I have yet remaining ten or twelve men of the troops raised
agreeable to the Act to Procure recruits, who will be sent forward as
soon as the Sheriff can collect money for them, he has met with great
difficulty in levying the four shillings, by the advice of some People
in this county, and the State has suffered in consequence —
You wrote me of the 23^d ultimo and 3^d instant to march the re-
cruits &c to Annapolis, I have no officer to give the command to and
to send them by land, so great a distance, without an Officer (I think)
will be attended with bad consequences, the next week I shall be able
to send off between sixty and seventy which I mean to do by water
unless you give me orders to the contrary.
Among those men I have two men who were brought before me
as Vagrants and since have enlisted, these men are entitled to £22...10
each, will you please to supply me with this sum also? I can assure
you that the Subscription and Association for the credit of the
£200,000 has been Signed by Several in this county — I wrote you
sometime ago for commissions for Samuel Hutchison Capt. 18^th
Battⁿ Noble Veazey I^st Lieut. Noble Beedle 2^d Lieut, and William
Price ensign, I will thank you for these Commissions, in a Commis-
sion to Capt. Scott of the 2^d or Elk Battalion of this county a mistake
is made by inserting William instead of John, with your consent I
will alter the name from William to John —
Please to send me Commissions for Barruch Williams as Lieu^t
Col^o of the 30^th Batt. and James Maxwell Major. M^r Concoa I have

August 11