January 1-December 31, 1781 413

[Erasmus Gantt, P. Georges County, to His Excellency
Thos. Sim Lee Esqr.]

In Consequence of an Appointment from Your Excellency, to a
Cornelcy in the Troop of Horse, which was directed for the Defence
of Somerset & Worcester Counties, I was reduced to the Expendi-
ture of a Considerable sum of money for Horses, and other necessary
Equipments; trusting to your Excellency that in Case the plan of
raising the Troops directed was not adopted, I should meet your
attention in some other appointment. The plan upon which the Reg^t
of Horse are to be raised by the State, renders a post in it far more
reputable, than the Troop heretofore directed to be raised, therefore
shall conceive myself honoured in your Influence towards such an
appointment

August 12

[John Parks, Baltimore, to His Exc^y Thomas Sim Lee, Esquire]

I had the Honour some Time since of presenting you a Me-
morial, which beg leave to refer your Excellency to, representing the
Proceedings of Coll^o Samuell Smith, in Consequence of a Suspicion
alledged against me, for an intention, to cooperate with the Insur-
gents of Frederick, of my being concerned in that truly diabolical con-
spiracy of mentioning my Confinement since the 24^th June last.

May I now presume to Intimate that from the long durance since
my Confinement, the number already tryed, and your Excellency

being on the Spott, you must be fully Convinced that I never was
Concerned, in any measure so derogatory to the Well f are, the happi-
ness, and Subversion of the Liberties of my Country, and so Con-
trary to my own, and Families true Interest from which Instigation,
myself, Wife, and a number of small Children have so pointedly
suffered; being now for seven Weeks intirely deprived of any Inter-
course therewith, leaves them Liable to every Casuality, that is inci-
dent to a helpless and distressed Family.
I would not have again Presumed to intrude or mention the Mis-
fortune of an Individual at this Criterion, when the Public concern
must have your Attention, had not the long Time of my Imprison-
ment, the Distresses of my Family, and Every Gentleman of this
Place Convinced of my Innocence, induced me thereto.
I need not Comment, for under Every Distress I have this Con-
solation, that I suffer only from a mistaken Zeal of my Country,
induced by the Calumny, and Malicious Designs of some secret
Enemy, who thought this a proper opportunity most Effectively to
injure me.

May it Please your Excellency I have always been willing, done,
and am Still willing to Conform and acquiess in every Law, Custom
or Institution that may be proposed for the Benefit of my Country,
and under it every service that may be required, or in my Power

August 12
Red Book
No. 18
Letter 131