January 1-December 31, 1781 51

itself, I wish it may suit your Excellency to order it to be sent with
the above mentioned wheat, by one of the State boats, or perhaps
you may have immediate occasion for those articles, in which case it
would be delivered to your order by Colonel Robert Harrison, ex-
cept one barrel of the flour that he took for the use of State prisoners,
and Two barrels of the Pork M^rs Eliz. Caile thought proper to take
for Storage in Lieu of Twenty pounds in Specie she charged in her
account, which I refused to pay, as I thought it too high a charge.
Permit me to desire the fav^r to be informed soon of what your
Excellency will be pleased to order therein that if no better can be
done, I may direct the 20 barrels of flour, 2 barrels of Ship Stuff,
4 barrels of hogs lard & 2 barrels of Pork remaining at Cambridge
of my late purchases on account of the United States, to be sent by
a small craft to the head of Elk and there delivered to the Commis-
sary of Issues.

February 3

[George Murdock, F. Town to His Excellency Gov^r Lee]
(fav^d p M^r Wood)

Nothing material has happen'd since I wrote your Excellency by
Express, we continue to receive Beef in small quantitys so that we
are now only Four or Five days in arrears and that in meat only.
A person from Carlisle in Pensylvania was with me to day and
offer'd Seventy Bullocks for Sale, but for want of Money cou'd not
treat with him, before he left Town he informed me that Flower in
Baltimore wou'd answer his purpose and that the market price then
might rule as to both. New Emission now begins to go, tho as yet
but slowly & only for Articles not in immediate demand.

February 4

[James McHenry, Volunteer aide de camp Majr Gen'1. M. de la
Fayette Baltimore, to Gov. Lee]

I had the honor yesterday to transmit your Excellency a State of
the necessity there was for an additional quantity of shipping to what
had been collected at this place. This instant I am honored with
another letter from the Marquiss which makes a second application
to your Excellency unavoidable. The vessels procured here do not
amount to above 900 tons This as I had the honor to observe is
wholly inadequate.
The Marquiss says in his letteer we cannot embark unless a large
number comes here, and with all possible speed, we want besides
these and armed vessels for our protection, a large number of boats
to land the whole detachment at once, and scows for the Artillery.
If dispatch boats can be found for carrying intelligence be pleased to
send them here. Every thing but the vessels are in perfect readiness
For everything but the scows and a few boats, which can be got
into this place permit me to beg in the Marquiss name your Excellen-

February 4
Red Book
No. 32
Letter 46