January 1-December 31, 1781 571

Key to forward it immediately 28 hh'ds of which has just arived —
and is such infamus trash that M^r Turnbull who transacts M^r
Ridleys business here will not receive it — and I am of opinion it
will not sell for enough to pay the charges. Certainly the Publick
is much imposed on — as I have received since my residence here
considerable quantitys of Tobacco, from Gentlemen in defirent
Parts of the State, and always observe that the Tobacco of private
Property, is very superior in quality to that of the publick — you can
have little use for Inspectors unless they do their duty which cer-
tainly many of them fall much short of — there is yet a few hhds in
M^r Keys hands which I expect up before the frost sets in, which
I will dispose of with what is already here on the best terms in my
Power — and transmit your Exccellency An Acc^t Sales of the whole.
Should you wish to have the sales of what is already disposed of
you! please signify it in a line by post — and they shall be transmitted
you — the proceeds of your Tobacco already sold has been Paid to
your Delegates in Congress — as received. Should my services in this
City be of any advantage to the Publick — Your self or connections —
You may freely comm^d Sir Your H^ble Servant.

December 10

[Stephen Steward West River, to the Council.]

by acedent M^r tilard Heard I wanted som flower If you will Give
me an order for What flower he has If it is good I will give you an
order Next friday In baltemore town for the Quantity I Receve of
him If you Culd like wise give me an order on M^r Maccobens Mill
for 15 or 20 bar^k more If you have any thare it would be as much
as would now fill up my vessell and save me and you boath the
fraight. If this will be Convenent to you I will send you an order
for the hole amedatly after noing how much I git

December 11
Red Book

No. 27
Letter 155

[Joshua George, A. D. Q. M. George Town Potowmack, to His
Excellency Tho^s Sim Lee Esq.] (fav^d by Cap^t Lingham)

I embrace the opportunity by Cap^t Lingham to inform your
Excellency that I have never receiv'd the Salt from M^r Calhoun you
ordered him early in Nov^r to purchase & send to me. I have wrote
twice to M^r Calhoun respecting it, but can get no answer, and have
been under the necessity of borrowing thirty Bushels to cure the
Beef I have Barrel'd up. I am anxious to replace this Salt, and if
your Excellency thinks proper to order M^r Tho^s Beall of this place
to purchase, he can readily get it in Alexandria where I hear the
Salt is selling at three dollars p^r bushel.

December 12

[John Hanson, Presidt, Philadelphia, to Geo Lee]

Altho the present aspect of American Affairs is truly favorable,
and opens to our view the brightest prospect of a glorious peace and
the unmolested possession of the invaluable rights we have nobly

December 12
Red Book
No. 9
Letter 104