January 1-December 31, 1781 555

on Col^o Yeates D. Q. M. for Maryland for supplies of both Wag-
gons & Horses, but have never been able to obtain any from that
Quarter. As to Waggons I believe we may do without getting any
from that State, but horses we must at all events have a supply of
four Hundred. You will much oblige me by calling on Col^o Yeates
or the Governeur of Maryland, & endeavour to obtain from them
a supply if Possible.

November 15
Brown Book
No. 8
Letter 25
[copy]

[Tho. Price, Frederick Town, to Gov. Lee.]

Yesterday I received by Cap^t Richard Johns of Montgomery
County a Drove of Cattle; to the Number of one hundred & forty
one, by him I was informed that part of them had been drove to
Williamsburgh, but not being wanted there they had been joined
by a Number of others and ordered here. This driving or redriving
has made the far greater part so poor as to render them intirely unfit
for Slaughter at this Time, and it appears to me that they were or-
dered here, rather to rid that State of the Trouble of maintaining
them through the Winter; than out of any other View. As they can-
not be slaughtered this Winter I am at a Loss what to do with them ;
& considering that there was only this alternative either to dispose
of them among the neighbouring Farmers to be maintained during
the Winter or to sell them at Public Sale, I have made it my Busi-
ness to enquire among the Farmers if they would take them, on any
reasonable Terms, but I met with very small Encouragement, shall
therefore wait your Excell^y & Council's Directions herein. There is
another Point wherein I would crave your Excell^ys Instructions &
that is in Regard to the Issuings Liquors, as part of the Rations ;
I have indeed during the summer, on particular Occasions to fa-
tiguing Parties issued Liquors, but the Guards being new very
numerous & the service Severe owing to the cold Weather & cutting
Wood for stockading the Barracks, the men highly call for it; if
you should think it necessary, a supply of Specie will also be neces-
sary, as red money will no Way answer to purchase it: you will
please also to order me some red money to pray for such part of the
Beef Cattle seized for the use of the Army as still remains unsettled
also Carriage of Flour &c &c.

November 23

[Abm. Skinner, Com. Gen. Pris, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee.]

I have the honor to transmit your Excellency two Letters I re-
ceived at Frederick Town, from which place I intended to proceed
to Annapolis had not an unexpected piece of business prevented me.
I have returned thus far from the Posts of Fort Frederick, and
Frederick Town whither I have been by desire of His Excellency
The Commander in Chief to see the State and Condition of the
Prisoners sent to those places. Col^o Rawlings Letter will give your

November 23
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 154