460 Letters to the Governor and Council

August 30

As I have nothing in View prejudicial to the State, but mearly
Appreciation for kindnesses done, I flatter myself I shall meet your
indulgence, w^ch if I do be pleased to deliver M^r J. Chase for his speedy
conveyance as on Sunday Morn^g I leave this for Phil^a w^ch is so much
on my way

August 30

[Joseph Dashiell, Wo^r to The Hon. Maj. G^l Smallwood, Annapolis.]
(By Mr. Wm. Handy)

I am Sorry to Inform you that we have bin Very Unsuccessful
in apprehending our Draught that kept out of the way, Indeed one
thing has retarded it I have bin & still am Very Ill; sum have Come In
and some have got substituts, Young men that I am in Grate hopes
will Inlist, those shall be sent forward as soon as a sufficieit number
get together to make it worth while.
The Bare M^r W^m Handy is a gentlemen that is one of the last
Draught, he was draughted with a man that provd to be ruptured,
and of Consequence he was Judg'd most proper to go, In consequence
of which he got a Substitute, But the man prov'd to be a Soldier In-
listed for the war which I sent up has the last Conveyances, his Name
was Edw^d Blake, a molatto
Since that M^r Handy has made me acquainted with a wound that
he Rec^d sum Years ago in one of his Leags, he says weakings it so
that he Could not posably hold out to march any distance as he is a
gentleman of Varisity I Cant doubt his asertion and altho I dont
think I have a right to Discharge him yet I have no doubt you will
if He Can satisfy you that he is weak in his Leag
I am so bad at present with a fevour that I keep my Bead, There-
fore hope you will Exquese this Imparfect scrible.

August 29

[Levin Handy, Peter Chaille, Robert Done, W^m Allen, James Martin,
S. Bishop and Zadok Purnell, Worcester, to The Hon^ble Major
Gen^l Smallwood.]

We have taken the liberty of recommending M^r William Handy
to your Honor as a Gentleman — Worthy of any indulgence you
may think proper to grant him, he was draughted with a person,
who was ruptured, and consequently was adjudged to be the most
proper person to March. M^r Handy has had the misfortune to loose
a wife, who has left him four small Children; there are to be sup-
ported by his industry alone, as he has not a fortune to support them :
this under the former draught Law wou'd have been a sufficient ex-
cuse for his not marching; but as a further excuse we beg leave to
inform your Honor, that some years ago M^r Handy received a bad
wound in one of his legs, which he hath since complained of being
weak in; & from the information of the Doct^r who attended him, we
are satisfied he could not compleat one days march M^r Handy is in-