528 Letters to the Governor and Council

October 6
Brown Book
No. 2
Letter 16

The 50 men engaged for three years and the war, of the Maryland
Line, which you mention I could wish should be moved on as soon
as may be, equipped in the best manner you are able to effect; the nine
months men are not so necessary perhaps to be sent on immediately,
I wish however they may be equipped & held in constant readiness
to come on if needed — it is impossible at this moment to foresee all
the events which may render their services of importance
General Greene's little army having been so much reduced by
frequent Battles and Losses, it is of the utmost importance to recruit
the Troops assigned to him in the speediest manner and to the fullest
compliment possible I must therefore desire that you will continue
your exertions in superintending that service, especially as were you
to join me on the present enterprise the several commands are already
so filled that I should find it very difficult to dispose you in such man-
ner as I could wish and your merits deserve
I am Dear Sir with esteem your most obed^t Serv^t

October 18
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 148

[Pat Sim Smith, Calvert, to Gov. Lee.]
I shall send off my third Drove of Beef Cattle for George Town
early tomorrow morning. I have receipts for one hundred head al-
ready delivered them and hope to get away my last Drove in the
course of the next week.
The Cattle purchased in this County will amount to between Six
& Seven pounds Currency each, upon an average. I have given as-
surance to the people that they shall have their money Immediately
and as they are in want of it to pay their assessments (for which
only it is now of any use to them) I shall be glad of a Supply for
the purpose by return of the Post, my present Stock being almost
exausted. I suppose about £500 more will be nearly sufficient for
the purchase & I wish to be informed if I am to settle & pay the assis-
tants & drovers or send these afterwards to Annapolis, these ex-
pences will be considerable but could not be avoided — indeed the red
money is of so little value now that it is with the utmost difficulty I
can employ any person for it.
A Body of the Jersey & other Continental Troops were sometime
put on shore at the mouth of Patuxent on their way to Virginia,
they were supplied during their stay with State flour from Col^o
Fitzhughs mill, and the Inhabitants in the neighbourhood furnished
them with some Beef and Mutton, for which the Officers gave them
Certificates — these they have since sent to me with an Expectation
that I am to pay them — have made application for the money alledg-
ing that it was Beef they intended to let me have for the State.
However as I apprehend I have nothing to do with it, I have prom-
ised those Gentlemen to write your Excellency & Honors on the
Subject and must beg to be informed if there is a probability of their
being paid & How they are to proceed for that purpose.
I have the Certificates in my possession