42 Letters to the Governor and Council

January 30
Red Book
No. 32
Letter 35

racks. The many off puts obliges me to adress your Excellency on
this Subject to know from what cause the long delay arises. Sensible
as I am that Materials can be easily procured.
I have likewise to complain of the irregular & scanty manner that
fuel is served out, & the only recourse on such occasions used, to per-
mit the British Soldiers to Cut their fire wood (as I am informed)
on a Gentleman's Mannor without his consent likewise that the offi-
cers have hitherto received none: a thing unheard of & without
example, all which may be easily obviated by those who are both
able & willing to serve the Public I have but one thing more to
observe to Your Excellency, that the Troops have received no Meat
for these five Days past this Day included, & that the ration in that
Specie has been considerably diminished of late.

Those facts I lay before your Excellency, who with the acquies-

sence of the Council of this Province, will I flatter myself order
redress

January 31

[Wm. Bordley to His Excel^cy Thos. S. Lee Esq^r]
(By M^r Moody)

I now send to Your Excell^cy George Jackson under the care of
M^r Moody Lieut & will with alacrity, if you order, send all the Tories
in Kent County

January 31
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 44

[Joseph Crockett, Lt. Col. Com. B. G. Frederick Town, to
Gov. Lee.]

I take this opportunity to inform your Excellency by express of
the great scarcity of animal food at our Barracks — the Convention
troops has drawn no meat for four days past. The purchasing Com-
missary informs me he has but a very small Supply in view (not
exceeding six days provision) the reason advanced for our scanty
supply is the scarsity of money, and what he has does not pass Cur-
rent. I rest satisfyed doubting not but your Excellency will adopt
such measures as will afford speedy relief

January 31

[Her's Courtenay, Baltimore, His Excellency Tho^s Sim Lee Esq^r.]
(Fav^r of Col^o Dorsey)

I have by me for some day's past, about a dozen peices Blue Cloths
suitable (in my apprehention) for Officers & Soldiers Cloathing.
I w^d Wish that they could be Appropriated for that use, rather then
any other also about 10 or 12 dozen pair Ribb'd Worsted Stockings —
if the State has use for such & that your Excellency will give orders
to Whomsoever you appoint here for that purpose I shall be ready
to treat with them; & the bearer M^r Jn^o Dorsey will be good enough
to bring me any answer that you may please to give on the Occasion.