492 Letters to the Governor and Council

September 13

[Tho^s Nelson Jr., Williamsburg, to Governor Lee]

The great consumption of Salt, which so large an Army as is
now collecting in this State, will necessarily occasion, makes me ap-
prehensive that it will be difficult for us to furnish sufficient sup-
plies of that article, as I imagine it will be in your Power to afford
us assistance in this respect, I must request that you will have mea-
sures taken for this purpose.
I also beg leave to remind you of what I mentioned in a former
letter, that a supply of flour from your State, will be very acceptable
if not absolutely necessary.

September 14
3 o'clock
Red Book
No. 29
Letter 26

[Dan'l Jenifer, Port^o, to Gov. Lee.]

Your Excellency's favor of yesterday was this minute handed to
me by express. As the case is urgent I will endeavour to search for
Vessels but fear none are to be had in this River. Col^o Laurens
on his way to W^msburg has sent forward to inform me that he is in
want of two Horses. I shall furnish him with two belonging to the
State which I hope will meet with the approbation of the Governor
& Council.

September 15

[John Smith Brookes, Upper Marlbro, to The Hon^ble The Governor
& Council.]

I sett out immediately upon the receipt of your Commands of the
30 Ulto upon the Collection of the Cattle agreeable to your directions,
and have been very earnest in the business untill the present moment ;
and had not a letter which I received from the Commissary General
at Baltimore, dated the 3^rd Ins^t ordering me to detain the Cattle in
pastures untill further instructions, I should have had the greater part
of them at George Town by this day.
The present being favoured by such good hands (M^r Craufurd)
I cannot omit to request in the most earnest manner that I may be
(by him) furnished with as much money as will Compleat the Pay-
ment of the Beef & the necessary expences attending the Collection
and driving them; as also money to pay for the waggonage of the
Fish.
It is impossible to describe to you the difficulties I labour under in
fulfiling your orders for matters where the money is not depositted,
very few acts appear to come voluntarily from the people, especially
where the demand amounts to a disposal of any part of their prop-
erty, and this reluctance is rendered much greater when they find the
money is not to be received.
I am under the greatest anxiety with respect to flower Barrels,
and the Millers declare they cannot continue receiving the Publick
wheat without them, and such as have been received is liable to great
waste & damage. Barrels I cannot procure from George Town, as