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August 13
[Copy]
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kind be sold together in undevided tenths, upon examination I find
that the whole of the lands (about 11000 Acres) are not more than
sufficient for that purpose, and that all the working Negroes and the
whole of the Stock are also necessary. I also find upon enquiring of
the Manager, and viewing the Books that this capital valued at a
very moderate rate (and much lower than it would actually sell, f or
if parceled out) will not produce to the purchasers more than two
p cent of neat profits on the purchase money, from whence I con-
clude, that no Company will purchase the works at more than half
their value with a view of carrying them on, nor do I think it prob-
able that any Company will carry them on when they will find that
it will be so much more to their advantage to break them up and
parcel out the lands into farms and of course the public will be dis-
appointed in their wishes of having them carried or continued. The
Ore is now become very scarce and exceedingly hard to be come at
They have to bring it from Ann Arundel County, and are obliged to
handle it nine times before it comes to the furnace I am clearly of
opinion that by selling the whole together the public will loose at
least £20,000 and afterwards not gain their purpose.
We have it in contemplation to advertise the property, to be sold
in parcels, that is the Furnace, by its self and the Forges by them-
selves alloting to each a small quantity of land, and a few of the
negroes absolutely necessary for carrying on the business, and after-
wards to proceed to the sale of the other lands divided into Farms
and also the Negroes and other stock by this mode of sale those who
purchase the works may also purchase the other lands, Negroes &
stock if they think proper. There is no doubt but the seats where the
works stand will sell well as they are firmly calculated for any kind
of water works, the situation of the long calm in particular is per-
haps not inferior to the Brandywine, for Mill seats and the two Forge
Houses may with a small expence be converted into two excellent
mills. But as this will be deviating considerable from the mode
pointed out by the law, we propose to appoint the day of sale after the
meeting of the Assembly that they may have an opportunity to alter
the plan should they disapprove of it. I would sir be extremely obliged
to you for your sentiments on this subject, in a letter directed either
to Baltimore or Annapolis, to which ever place a conveyance may first
offer, and I will defer advertising for sometime in hopes to hear
from you.
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August 14
Red Book
No. 2
Letter 6
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[W. Smallwood, Annapolis, to Governor Lee]
It appears by Certificates from Lieut Baldwin Acting Quarter
Master, and Commissary Crysal, that there is due the third Maryland
Regiment eighteen hundred and Seventeen Pounds of Beef on ac-
count of deficient Rations.
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