January 1-December 31, 1781 511

[Moses Rawlings to Gov. Lee.]

I have Just received a Letter from the Commissary General of
Provisions, requesting me to forward all the Flour in Washington
County to Baltimore & George Town, and as I cannot Hire Waggons
to Transport it your Excellency will be pleased to send me a warrant
Authorising me to Impress Waggons for that purpose. Your Ex-
cellencys Letter of the 5^th Ins^t came to hand yesterday and you may
rest assured that nothing in my power shall be wanting to Expedite
the Business in getting the Cattle, and sending them to Fredericks-
burgh as directed, I have already got some and expect to have a Hun-
dred at least by Saturday night I am now out and shall not return
Home untill I get the Number wanted I am very sorry to inform
your Exc^y that the Red Mony at present does not pass current in
Washington County

[September]

[Petition of William Watson To his Excellency Thomas S. Lee Esq^r
Governor and the Honorable the Council]

The humble Petition of William Watson of Cecil County Sheweth
That your Petitioner having been at last march Court presented by
the Grand Jury of his County for selling strong Liquors by the small
Quantity without License to keep Ordinary; on four several Present-
ments; hath since been informed of the Nature of his Offence and
the Penalty annexed both which he was entirely ignorant of before.
That your Petitioner having purchased two Barrels of Brandy
retailed the whole last winter by the Galon, Quart and sometimes by
the Pint, but never in a less Quantity, not imagining the same to be
contrary to Law; the Custom of Ordinary Keepers being by the half
Pint and Gill, nor did your Petitioner ever suffer or permit tippling
in his house.
That your Petitioner has a large small family; and if compelled to
pay the fines and fees on the aforementioned Presentments, will be
unable longer to support his family; but must either Pine away in
Goal or sell all his Substance.
Your Petitioner therefore most humbly prays your Excellency
and Honors to order a Noli Prosqui to be entered against the fore
Presentments aforesaid and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall
ever Pray William Watson

We the Subscribers hereby testify that we were Summoned to give
Testimony to the Grand Jury at last March Court and being asked
concerning William Watsons selling Liquor gave the Information on
which he hath been presented as appears by our Names set as Wit-
nesses to the Presentments and that when we bought the Liquor we
did not imagine that it was against the Law, and we are fully per-
swaded, that he thought he might have sold by the Pint or Quart.

[September]