January 1-December 31, 1781 425

money in my hands and Credit in public office have now I observe
you have appointed a Special Court for the Eastern shore, as soon
as I have the Judges Directions I shall send our Criminals forward
to Cambridge.
The Barer my Bro: will have full power to Contract for the Barge
at Salesbury, I am Convinced she will answer your purpose as she
is by fair the finest Barge I ever saw. Very Capable of Caring two
four pounders six Swivels & Sixty men, & Smal armes.
I have Inclosed M^r Duers Com. who resigns from Indisposition
plese send a Com. for Stephen Allen who is Recomended.

I shall wright you more fully by the recruits.
P. S. Exquese my half sheet of Paper it is All I have & their is
none to be had heare

August 16

[W. Smallwood, Annapolis, to Gov. Lee.]

The Bearer William Welsh engaged as a Substitute to serve nine
Months for Cap^t Dickersons Class in Baltimore County, for which
he received £22.10. Specie and advanced the same Sum to John
Campbell an Apprentice tho enrolled a Militia Man; was passed and
received in the stead of Welsh by Mark Alexander acting under the
County Lieutenant of Baltimore County, and in pursuance whereof
Welsh got a discharge or Receit
John Brown the Master conceiving injustice was done him, forced
his Apprentice to return Home, whom he severely punished, put him
in Prison & afterwards sold him for £22.10. specie to another Class
contrary to the Lads inclination, for which he never woud nor has
enrolled to all which he acquaints me Lieu^t Hamilton is privy.
As it appears an hardship that William Welsh shoud be retained
in the Service after paying the Money for a Substitute, which was
admitted by the County Lieu^t he is referred to the Governor and
Council for Redress — and to determine whether the Class which
purchased the apprentice of Brown shoud not be compelled to fur-
nish another Substitute, or Brown to pay Welsh his Money.

August 16
Brown Book
No. 2
Letter 14

[Mark Alexander, Baltimore, to His Excelency Thos. S. Lee, Esqr.]

At the request of M^rs Parks I beg leve to mention to your Excel-
lency & your Honors that I have inquired as much as I conveniently
could into the conduct of John Parks now confined in prison, on
Susspicion of Treason. And I could not find that there is any Just
cause of such a charge against him. And it is the general opinion of
the people in this place that the said Parks is clear of the charge.
Unless some facts are Stated or charge against him Sent to your
Excellency, It is hoped you will please to relesse him from his pres-
ent confinement.

August 17