68 Letters to the Governor and Council

February 12
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 121

as I dont see that we can do without it, have drawn the Eight thou-
sand pounds continental of M^r Pat^k Hamilton collector for this
County, which I got the order for Sept^r last, (to enable me to com-
pleat this business) and if there be any such Horses should be glad
to have an order for them —

February 13
Red Book
No. 5
Letter 58

[Daniel Carroll, Philadelphia, to Gov. Lee.]

I did myself the honor yesterday to address a few lines to you
by M. de Marbois, & the Counts Charles & Dillon. A vessel from
Cadiz arrivd here the day before yesterday: The president received
by this opportunity letters from M^r Carmichael, the last dated the
24^th of Dec^r none from M^r Jay. The Combind fleets had separated
the French under the Command of D'Estaign suppoS^td to have saild
for Brest, but no intelligence had been received of his arrival there,
tho' there had been full time to have heard it. The Empress Queen
dead, the Dutch had acceded to the arm'd neutrality. The dificulty
about the navigation of the Mississippi remains; It will I believe be
remov'd on our part in a few days. Preparations were making in

England to send more troops, suppoS^td to be destin'd to fix a Post at

Portsmouth, and a part for Charles Town, He hopes our Ally will
frustrate their design I will endeavour to be more particular on this
head by Co^l Forrest who will leave us in a day or two. Intelligence
has been receiv'd, that two ships of the line, & a frigate put out from
Gardiners Bay to intercept two French Frigates from Boston to
Newport; they were in the storm about the 20^th Ult^o The French
frigates had got into Newport with little damage, one of the Brittish
Ships returnd dismasted & very considerably damaged, the other
believ'd to be cast away on Montuck point. The frigate return'd.
The Mutiny which arose in part of the Jersey line has been prop-
erly settled — two of them executed, which I hope will put a stop to
that dangerous Spirit.
Please to present my Comp^s to y^r Lady & to the Gentlemen of the
Council. I will endeavour to comply with my promise to Mess™
Brice, Stone & Wright by this Post, by next, certainly.

February 13

[David Craufurd, to Gov. Lee] (Honoured by A. Contee, Esq.)

By a Law that passed the last Sessions I think their is to be a
Vendue master appoitned in each County. If their is none yet ap-
pointed for Prince Georges County I beg leave to recommend to your
Excellency and the Honourable Council M^r Benjamin Brooks as a
very Proper person for that Office, and I am well convinced should
he be appointed to that place that he will Discharge his duty with
the greatest Fidelity and give very general Satisfaction in the
County.