January 1-December 31, 1781 529

[Joseph Ford, St Mary's County, to Gov. Lee.] (Favered by
Mr. E. Fenwick)

I should have made returns for last month before this time but
have been prevented by a detension of My Book by the Commissioner
of the Tax at the Request of M^r Calhoun, for near a month and have
only been in Possession of it Two days and was preparing returns
to have sent up by express but happening to meet with M^r Edward
Fenwick going to Annapolis before they were finished I take that
oppertunity to enform your Excellency that the People here have by
some means got information that the Commissaries in other Coun-
ties are paying the whole for the Beef cattle they collect from the
people, this has caused some uneasiness among those that I have had
of, and difficulties in my collections
I have purchased of the Two last orders 353 Head 153 I have
sent to George Town about Sixty to collect as soon as they can be
got together and Branded they shall be sent forward to George
Town, which I expect will be some time next week I do not think
it will be possible to make up the 500 without distressing the People
exceedingly I shall make up 400 without much seizure but if the
whole it must be done by Violence In my conclusion I must begg
leave To submit a supposition of what 400 Beeves will cost with
the expence incur'd in collecting and driving to George Town, and
after deducting what money I have received from that sum, I should
be Glad that your Honble Board would give An Order for the Bal-
lance or so much of it as may be thought the Counties Proportion,
I shall make particular returns of Last and this Months Purchases
with an Account of the expences incur'd thereon by the next safe
Oppertunity.

October 20

400 Beeve each including the 5^th q^r 435 @ 4^d is

£2900

expences collecting & Driving to Geo. Town

300

3200

Cash Rec^d by Post & Coll Forrest

1300

Bal^l £1900

[Tho^s Nelson Jr, Camp before York, to Governor Lee]

When I wrote yesterday I forgot to observe to you that the Mili-
tia of this State have orders to conduct the British Prisoners al-
lotted for Frederick Town, only to the Borders of your State. Your
Excellency will therefore be pleased to make the necessary Prepara-
tions for their Reception. I am not so well acquainted with the
Geography of the upper Country as to be able to inform you at what
Ferry they will cross, but they will be marched by the most direct
Route from Winchester to Frederick Town.
34

October 21
[Indorsed,
" Col. Hen-
dricks is
requested to
give this the
most speedy
conveyance
to Annap-
olis." "Alex-
andria 28th
Oct. 7 o'C
P. M. Rec'd
& deliver'd
Imediately.
James
Hendicks "]