January 1-December 31, 1781 507

time I was Seas^d With a pain in one of my hipps Which Was so vio-
lent as to Render it out of my power to Rejoin the Regiment, the
pain is Still so sevear that I am not able to march, and therefore
thought it my duty to inform Your Excellency of my Case, making
no doubt But you Will Give some orders in the matter, Which I shall
most Gladly Comply With to the utmost of my power.

September 27
Red Book
No. 37
Letter 10

[Thos Beall of G. for T. Richardson, Geo. Town, to His Excellency
Thos. S. Lee Esq^r]

I am to inform you that our New Money has met with almost an
over thro since the french Troops Passed this place
I am not Able to get Hands to send on with the Cattle that has been
brought to this place and without I am furnished with some hard
money to hire hands; the Cattle will remain in this neighbourhood ;
I am informed to day that all the Cattle that has been Procured
in Washⁿ County is com'^s to this place; Col^o Steuart Ordered they
shou'd Cross Potomack at Nolands ferry below Frederick Town;
if they shoud come down here I am sure they Cannot be sent forward

September 27

[Eph: Blaine, C. G. S. Williamsburgh To His Excellency
Governor Lee]

His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves of three places
of Deposit upon the Eastern Shore of your State for the col-
lection of Beef Cattle. Viz. Oxford landing upon Choptank River
for the Supplies of Queen Ann, Talbot & Caroline Counties — Vienna
upon Nanticoke River for Dorchester, and Snow Hill for the County
of Worchester. I will Order Agents to attend at those places to re-
ceive and forward the Stores. Your Excellency will please to Order
the Contractors to bring in their Cattle to those places agreeable to
the Orders they receive from my Agents, and to be punctual in a
compliance therewith — they must also provide good pasture conveni-
ent to the places of slaughter, and I beg Sir you will give them Orders
to afford every necessary Assistance in this Business. I shall order
what Public salt remains in your State to be collected to those places
but am doubtful it will by no means equal our demand. Packing down
Meat at this early Season requires large quantities of Salt. Your
Excellency & Council will please to order the purchase of five or Six
hundred Bushels, one half of which to be sent to Oxford & the resi-
due to Vienna & Snow Hill.
I shall set out tomorrow for Northampton & Accomack and take
those places in my way to Annapolis.
The large Consumption of Provisions in our Army will require
the utmost Exertions of every Person who is the least concern'd in
procuring Supplies. Your Excellency will please to repeat your Ap-

September 27