January 1-December 31, 1781 431

Time past issued from one hundred to one hundred & fifty Rations
per Day, to the Militia, Recruits, Guards & Tories, upon the whole
I have had great Difficulties to struggle with, for Want of season-
able Supplies of Money, therefore hope you will now furnish me
with about 2 or 300£, as well to enable me to pay off the most neces-
sitous, amongst the Coopers & Waggoners, as to comply with the
Orders of the Comm^y Gent; and this I hope you will the more readily
do when you may be assured that I have not yet received more than
about £12. from the County Collector of the £200 — ordered by the
Act of Assembly.
M^r Dowson the Bearer of this has promised to take Charge of &
bring to me any Money you may think proper to send.

August 20

[Hezekiah Reeder, Port Tobacco, to the Council.]

I have yours of the 17^th Ins^t am Sorry it has not been in my power
to forward any of the Cattle sooner. Edward Kerrick will deliver
22 wherever you will direct, shall have another drove ready to send
of in a few days, I shall be in want of a further supply of Cash
which hope you will send by Kerrick the Collection of the Cattle will
come very high they being dispersed over the County.

August 20

[Jos^a Beall Lieu^t P^s G^s C^ty to His Excell^y Thomas Simm Lee Esq^r]

The Bearer Jeremiah Turner one of the Drafts for this County
has been with me to get Excused from the draft as he does not
come fully within the Description of those who I am impowered
to Excuse I have refered him to your Excellency & Hon^rs I know
but very Little of him any more than that of his being a man of
property

August 20

[Petition of Jeremiah Turner]

The humble Petition of Jeremiah Turner of Prince G. Co^ty to his
excel^y Tho. Simm Lee Gov^r in and over the State of Maryl^d
and the Honourable the Upper House of Assembly.
Humbly sheweth — As a Draughted Man Your Petitioner begs
leave to Represent to y^r Excell^y his Situation and Circumstances now
at present depending (to wit) he being a Married Man and having
the care and Management for three Orphans, who are Minors, whoes
Concern is Pritty considerable, and should he be forced from them
and his family; they must unavoidably suffer greatly beyond Com-
prehention, as there is near twenty Slaves under his direction, the
Crop and Stock must Principly be lost in his Absence therefore he
begs y^r Excell^y will favourably hear his and the familys Grievance,
& redress them, for which favour he will forever be in Duty Bound
to Pray &c.
We whoes Names are hereunto subscribed do recommend to y^r
Honours the above Petitioner case to bear a Preportion to the Repre-

August 20