January 1-December 31, 1781 579

I have therefor to request that your Honourable Body, will im-
power some person on the spot with sufficient Authority, to call in
such number of Militia as may be necessary, as well as a few Teams
to transport the Officers Baggage — there is several Officers in this
Town belonging to the line of the Army who could be of infinite
service to me in the discharging of this duty, whom I would wish
to take as far as York — but their situation for want of Cash makes
it Exceedingly disagreeable to me, to Order them on Command
unless they could be supplied with a small sum to discharge their
Necessary Expenses
This will be delivered you by Major Bailey by whom I beg your
Orders.

December 22

[Wm. McBryde, Corny, Somerset Co^ty, to Gov. Lee.]

The Bearer M^r Thomas Gilliss wates on you for further Orders,
Having on board Twenty Three Thousand two Hundred & Eleven
Weight Beef also Twelve barrels Tallow & one barrel Tongs which
is the last of the Beef Except a few Stray Cattle that will be Col-
lected as soon as possible, am In Hopes you have ordered Salt here
by this Time as I Expect pork Every Day & no Salt to save it

December 24

[Chas. Blake to Gov. Lee.]

By the Plater I send 15543 pounds of beef from M^r Paca's; I
have a load of flour ready on Wye at Emerson's Warehouse of 200
barrels and a great deal of Wheat on Chester but can gett no Vessels
to carry either away having nothing to pay freights with; and if I
press they will go off immediately, the wheat will waste fast. I have
delivered by order of the Special Council a good deal to M^r Rich^d
Tilghman the 4^th if Vessels are to be had at Annap^s I should be
glad of two that will carry 1200 bush, each in Chester. M^r Francis
Baker has partly agreed to take a load of flour from Wye to Annap :
but he may decline me.

December 25

[Tho^s How Ridgate, Portobacco, to Governor & Council]

I received yours of the 13 Inst in consequence of which I waited
on M^r Reeder to know the quantity of salt he might want this Winter,
he informed me about 50 or 60 Bushells which I agreed to let them
have on the terms you offer 150 Tob p Bushell.

December 25

[The Petition of Mary Preston Unto His Excellency
General Smallwood]

Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioner's Husband Thomas Pres-
ton has been now about three years to the Southward Having left

December 27
Blue Book
No. 4
Letter 19