534 Letters to the Governor and Council

October 24
Brown Book
No. 8
Letter 12
[Indorsed :
" referred to
the Comm,
on the
recruiting
service "]

we have overcome all difficulties. The gallant behavior of your line
in the last action, places them in the highest point of military glory.
This appears to me to be a Crisis of American affairs. If General
Washington is successfull against Lord Cornwallis, which hardly
admits of a doubt, it will afford leisure and opportunity to the united
States, provided they improve it properly, of preparing themselves
to meet the enemy upon more equal ground than they have con-
tended with them for a long time past, not to say, from the begining
of the War. I hope Maryland will loose no time in compleating her
line to the establishment it will give security to herself & proper aid
to her distressed neighbours, who have suffered more by the war
than she has.
I wish you an honorable and happy administration, beloved by
your friends & feared by your enemies.
With sentiments of esteem & regard, I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obedient Humble Servant

October 24
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 149

[Stephen Steward & Jno. Dorsey & Co., Annapolis, to the Council.]

We are informed that about 100 Ships & Briggs have been Cap-
tured at York and are the property of our Ally. If the Board incline
to Purchase any Vessells of Force for Defence of the Bay, or any
Vessells to Export — M^r Stephen Steward Jun^r will if authorised,
endeavour to Buy of Count De Grass such Vessells as the Governor
& Council may Direct, the Purchase Money payable in Flour or To-
bacco. As we propose to empower M^r Steward to Purchase Vessells
for us to the Amount of £8000 Specie, We should Esteem it as a
Perticular favour if the Board would give M^r Steward an Introduc-
tion to the Count De Grasse with an Assurance that his Contracts
not Exceeding the above sum will be Punctually Complied with.

October 25

[Rich'd Dallam, Harford County, to Gov. Lee.]

The New money has no Credit in this County not an Article is to
be procured with it
M^r Osborn by the approbation and Consent of the Commission-
ers [damaged] the Commission Business. I am named as Commis-
sary at their request because they could not appoint M^r Osborn he be-
ing Collector, M^r Osborn informs me that he was obliged to sell four
head of Cattle at Baltimore But of the last drove to enable him to
send the remainder on, he applyed to M^r Calhoun but could get no
assistance. He has sent off upwards of 100 & has an other drove to
send on but cannot get drovers He tells me it will be impossible to
procure the whole Number of Cattle required without taking 2 years
old & striping the people of the Provisions necessary for their Fami-
lies. He has had much trouble in collecting Cattle
I know & experience that meat is very scarce in this County. Your
Excellency will Please to give what assistance is possible to enable
him to do what can be done