January 1-December 31, 1781 515

we are Oblidge to keep a gard Constantly Over him, and he is all the
prisoner that is now in Our Gaol.
NB. The public Corn in this County will all be lost if it is not Dis-
pos^td of I rote you abought it sum time ago should be Glad of your
answer.

October 6

[John Gordon, James River, Trebells Landing, To The Honorable
James Brice, Esq. Annapolis.] (By the Hetty, Capt. Cramphin)

I make no doubt but his Exelency with the H. Council is much
surpriz'd with the detention of the Plater. She came safe as far as
the enterence of the River where wee met with a Ship which had on
board his Exelency General Washington, our delay by Gen^l Lincoln
was so late in the night that I refuS^td to proceed without a Pilot up
the River when he order^d me to follow Cap' Hall who had on board
one of the first Pilots belonging to the River with his Exelency's
Baggage & that there was no danger, but after a few hours the Plater
with many others were run on shore by mistake of the Pilot, where
she now lays in a most dangerous situation. I have done everything
in my power to git her a float, but with out effect, I have made appli-
cation to Gen. Lincoln & his Exelency for Assistance but can git none
they being employed on other matters, the inhabit^ts will not suffer
their Negroes to assist, they themselves being disaffected, the conse-
quence from every apper⁵; I am afraid is against the Boats ever
geting off I have continued by her 16 days expoS^td to every sort of
weather (& yet could git her a flot if asst^s could be obtain'd) without
the least damage. I likewise have made application to Comodore
Barron, but to no purpose. (I am distrest in every respect) neither
Victuals or drink, or Credit, nor am I allow'd to draw.
As this opportunity is in a moment going for Baltimore I cannot
observe to you any farther particulars, but shall with every possible
effort endeavour to git her on Float, as I am about to git some negroes
to assist to the approbation of their masters. There is nothing pre-
vents her giting off but the want of some nails to stop a leak in her
Gar board seem, as she is now a float allmost every high Water, the
leak was occasion'd by being washt off the Blocks after raising her
out of the Sand.
I shou'd have been more particular but the Boat is under Way
P. S. Every thing here is a profound secret with respect to when
the Siege will open, but it is generally believ'd will be on Monday,
when a Batt^y on our side will open with 200 (or near that) pieces
of 18^pds & 24^pds w^t 10. 13^lnch morters which will fire 10 times a
minute. This is on the American side. The French has a far superior
Artil^y

October 6
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 17