January 1-December 31, 1781 541

[Benj^a Bradford Norris, Thos. Johnson, John Taylor, John Rumsey,
J. Patrick, Gabriel P. Vanhorn, A. Whitaker, W^m Smithson,
Jn^o Love, Harford County, to Gov. Lee & the Council.]

This may Certify to his Excellency & the Honourable Council, that
John Stump son of John of this County, hath always Maintained
and Supported a General good Character was an Honest Man and a
good & Faithfull Subject to the State & a Friend to the Common
Cause of America, that we never knew or heard any thing to the
Contrary or the least Prejudicial to his Character; Except the Re-
port; from that of his being taken before your Excellency and the
Honourable Council on Suspicion as Witness our hands

November a
Red Book

No. 27
Letter 153

[Henry Hooper, Dorset County, to His Excellency The Governor
in Council] (Fav^d by Capt Kirkman)

There is a Vacancy of an Ensign in Captain Levin Kirkmans
Company of Militia of the Upper Battalion of this County occa-
sioned by resignation of Charles Addams
James Jones is first Serjeant and I think him a proper person to
succeed to fill up this Vacancy

November 3

[Tho^s Beall of G. for T. Richardson Esq^r Geo Town to His Excel-
lency Tho. S. Lee Esq^r] (Hon^d by Coll^o Joshua George)

I am to inform you that I have Collected in this County two
hundred and ten head of Black Cattle of which Number I have de-
liv^d to Coll^o Joshua George A D Q M. at this place one hundred and
ninety six, the remainder I have on hand which I have ordered to
be fed well tell I have your Orders what I must do with them as
Col^o George will not receive them at present. Coll^o J George will
deliver this to you at which time I beg leave to introduce him to you,
being a very Clever Gentlemen. I am not able to get any moore Cattle
in this County without distressing the People, there has been a large
Quantity of Cattle Carried out of this County to Baltimore by the
Butchers &c.
I have Chiefly paid the Owners of the Cattle for what I have taken,
being no Brandy or whiskey to be had in this County; Pray how is
pasturage of Cattle to be settled; and Waggonage of Con^l Flour
I am much pushed by the People for payment and at what price
p head p week or day.
Your Ans^r by Coll^o George will Oblige Sir your Very Hum^l Serv^t

November 4

[Petition of James O'Hara]

Unto His Excellency The Governor & Council of Maryland. The
Petition of James O'Hara Humbly Sheweth That your Excellency's
Petitioner, inlisted as a Soldier in the first Maryland Battalion in the

November 5