January 1-December 31, 1781 417

charge [damaged] of a Single rascal or devil incarnate [damaged]
did they know you are a true Protestant or [damaged] How widely
differs the American Inquisition from that [damaged] The best
and noblast thing you can do, with regard to your little helpless Nieces
& Nephew, is to love them affectionately tenderly and carefully, and
to assist kindly in providing for their Education and Support, which
will draw down from God blessings & rewards upon your own Family
that may be in its own time. You are well Sensible of the propriety
and Necessity thereof, The poor girls often inquire where their uncle
was, and Henry always (when he comes to see his mother up Stairs
in your Bedroom) lifts up the bed cover to look at and after his dear
brother little Samuel, stands & calls out to him as he used to do while
alive. This renews the wound of your Sisters heart. The 2 girls re-
member well, that their dear uncle has promised to bring them Some-
thing. In its due time it may be well done, to their hearts joy. We
all, thank God, enjoy a good health, and your hearty disposition for-
titude & firmness of Mind, gives me the fullest and most agreeable
Satisfaction and Sets my heart fully at rest. To the above Virtues
join yet sincere Christian Devotion prudence inoffensiveness & Cir-
cumspection! May God [damaged] graciously grant them & inspire
you therewith [damaged] prayeth & hopeth,
Your Affectionate faithful Father
John S. Gerock

I am apt to fear that some malevolent or careless Person has either
forgot or neglected to forward to you a Letter from F — 1 or even
intercepted it. It makes us very uneasy. No Safe opportunity had
sooner offered to send this Letter by. We are all well, thank to God,
but almost at a Loss what to think or do. We wish heartily to see
you if possible soonest.
To, M^r Samuel Gerock
in
Annapolis
Inclosed 3£ Specie,
To the Care of the Rev^d M^r
Krug minister in Fredriktown.

August 3

[N[athaniel] R[amsey], Annapolis, to Thomas Johnson, Esqr.
Frederick County]

Upon a Strict Scrutiny into the situation profits and advan-
tages of the Nottingham Co^ys property now ordered to be sold, and
comparing therewith the mode and manner which the law seems to
point out for the Sale thereof, I am of opinion that a strict adherence
thereto will be a great disadvantage to the State. The law seems to
have in over the continuing of the works as works and therefore
directs that a sufficient quantity of land, negroes and stock of every
27

August 13
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