January 1-December 31, 1781 437

[Jos^a Beall, Lieut P^s G^s Cty. Prince Georges C^ty To His Excell^cy
Tho^s Simm Lee, Esq^r.]

This will be delivered you by Luke Adams one of the drafts
from the last Clases, he and another marry^t man were drafted in
the same Class, they drew for the chance of going, the lot fell on
Adams who was Maryed this Spring, has a Crop on hand which he
must loose if he goes out, which must be a great prejudice to him,
though he has at present no children to maintain; He has been in
the service and finding it prejuditial to his health imployed another
man to take his place, he has been lately sick and now complains of
a pain in his hip w^ch he says renders him incapable of Marching, he
has been of some use to me, having imployed him to ride after some
of those men who did not appear and particularly in taking one
Nacey Smith a black fellow who deserted from Malbro, He now
goes up with one Wise who keept out of the way. If this shuld
not be thought a sufficient Excuse, and your Excell^cy & Hon^rs think

proper to keep him in service, I could wish him to return again to

Assist in catching some of those men who keep out of the way, as
he is well Acquainted in the different parts of the county, and prety
active when in health.
I could wish to have a list of all those men who were returned for
the different Clases for this county this year and have not yet ap-
peard at Annapolis, that I may know who are yet behind that have
not been Excused.
A report prevails here that our State continentall money is not to
be received in the Treashurrey, I could wish tc be well informed in
that matter, as I am now about making out Executions for all the
money that remains due on Clases, and shall be at a loss how to pro-
ceed, or What instructions to give the Shereiff in receiving it

August 22

[John Smith Brookes, Upper Marlbro, to the Council.]
(By Mr. Scott)

I send M^r Crisall by M^r Scott 21 Head of Cattle the pressing man-
ner you call upon me in you [r] favour of the 20^th instant would not
admit of my waiting a moment to collect a larger quantity — my
utmost exertion have and shall be employed to compleat the Quantity
of Beef you first ordered — was the Commissarys of the other Coun-
ties to do their part, I presume the Councels orders would not be
so pointed at me. I should hold myself unpardonably culpable was
the Troops to suffer the smallest distress from any neglect of mine —
the Collection of Cattle, so detached as they are, is attended with
very great trouble and requires time. I have not nor will I loose a
moment in the business — and I hope to send forward another and
more Consideral drove by the early part of next week — the people
very reluctantly part with their Cattle and I often meet with very
strong opposition

August 22