January 1-December 31, 1781 43

[R^d Hooe Alex^r to His Excellency Tho^s Sim Lee Esq^r]

After writing Your Excell^y by M^r Smith, I rec^d a Letter from
M^r James Mercer, who was so kind as to open my Letter to Col^o
Lewis and undertake the Business recommended to that Gentlemen,
he being too unwell to undergoe it. M^r Mercers Letter did not con-
tain any intelligence that I thought material, therefore declined send-
ing it you by an express. The enclosed will so soon reach you by
Post, and having nothing of consequence in it I think it best to save
the expence of an express.
A Boat from the Mouth of the River (left it on Sunday last)
informs us there was no Enemy then there.

January 31
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 39

[To the Honorable the Governor and Council of Maryland the Peti-
tion of Henry Sheaff of Baltimore Town]

Your Petitioners Wife's Parents now in New York finding it very
disagreeable to be confined to a Garrison Town have resolved to go
to their native Country Holland in the Spring and are very desirous
to take with them your Petitioner his Wife and Children and have
made such proposals to your Petitioner to induce him to accompany
them that he thinks himself bound in duty to his family to accept of
provided he can obtain permission from your Honor to go to New
York. That your petitioner has ever manifested himself a friend to
the Cause of America and has now a substitute serving in the Conti-
nental Army during the war. Your petitioner agrees to leave with
this State £200 Specie advanced to the officers of this State on Long
Island the Interest of which will be more than sufficient to pay the
Taxes that may be levyed on his property for the support of the war —
that your petitioner further agrees to advance (agreeable to your
honors request) thirty pounds to each officer of this State on Long
Island who has not received a part of the money already advanced —
for all which money your petitioner will agree to take Tobacco in
one year from this time the price to be now fixed by your Honor or
the honourable the General Assembly. Your petitioner ever willing
to render any services in his power to his Country should he be so
happy as to obtain Permission to go to New York will whilst he is
there give every Assistance he possibly can to our officers who are
prisoners there — and should he arrive at Amsterdam whilst he resides
there will chearfully render every service in his power to this State.
Your petitioner hopes your honors will grant him the permission he

[January]

requests.
[Henry Sheaff to Gov. Lee]

IncloS^td your Excellency some Memorandum Relative what passd,
when in the Council Chamber; any mode you should think Proper
to adopt more Legible will be agreeable

[January]
[For agree-
ment be-
tween Henry
Sheaff and
Gov. Lee,
see Arch, of
Md., Vol. 45
p. 285]