January 1-December 31, 1781 435

dustrious man, Shaw from the best information I could get, is a very
idle Lasey fellow, who is rather a burden, than a help to his family,
for which reason I chose him to go into service, I shall inquire farther
into the matter from some persons whose Names are to his Petition.
This mode of raising men I think is against both the people &
Service, Had the people at large been Taxt half the sum of money
it has cost individuals to procure Substitutes, And that money put
into the hands of proper officers for recruiting, I am convinced
there would have been three times the Number, and good men pro-
cured for a length of time. The present mode of raising men is very
uncertain, in making out the last clases, I indeavour^d to put an Equal
Number of single men in Each Class, yet in many of the class None
but Marryed men were Drafted, in one instance where there were
but 5 marryed men in a Class of 20, two of the marryed men were
drafted

August 21

[P. Thomas, B. Johnson, Frederick to His Excell^cy Thomas S.
Lee Esq^r]

M^r Samuel Morris of this place expresses A strong desire to
serve his Country in the Field And proposes to Apply to the Hon^ble
Board for An Ensignsy
I beg leave to mention that He supports the Character of a man
of Honor is a firm independant Whig and will probably make a good
Officer

August 21

[P. Thomas, Tho. Price, B. Johnson, Mich^l Boyer, Frederick to
His Excellency Tho^s S Lee Esq^r]

M^r George Ming of this place expresses a Strong inclination
to serve in the Army And intends to Sollicit that Hon^ble Board to
appoint him An Ensign in the Maryland line. We beg leave to men-
tion that since his residence here, which is About twelve months, He
has supported An unspotted Character. He appears to us to be a very
promising Youth, is well attached to the Indepence of his Country
and only wants experience to make him a good Officer.

August 21

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

The first and second Continental Regiments to the Southward,
and the third Reg^t now ready to March are in great want of Blankets
and other necessaries suitable to equip them for the approaching
Winter Season, which if by any means can be procured, I wish to
forward under the Escort of this Regiment that the Troops in the
Southern Department may be supplied early in the Fall — this is an
Object worthy your Attention, to preserve the Men in that unhealthy
Climate.

August 21
Brown Book
No. 2
Letter 5