January 1-December 31, 1781 89

by some Concerned in a manner, that had it been done by me — I
should have been Truly ashamed. The Dispatches that there was
such Particular Instructions from his Excellency, and the Quarter
Master General, to Ride by Day and Night with — was Received at
Bush Town the 24^th Inst, at 55 minutes Past 9 oClock A. M. and did
not Arrive here until 35 minutes Past 5 o'Clock in the Evening.
Occasioned by the Letters being Delivered to a Person who lives in
this Town — having a Bad Horse, and from all Circumstances not
well attached to the Liberties of America. The Dispatches sent on
yesterday, was brought by a Person Living at Fell's Point, and was
sent up to me by a Boy on Horse back, who Droped the greatest part
of them on the way, and there left them, until some Gentlemen
picked them up, it being uncertain whether they were all found or
not. I hope that you will have the Line Strictly Inspected, so that
the Trusty Servants of the Public may be known from others more
Remiss, in their Duty. For further Particulars I would beg to Refer
you to General Gist, who will be Down in a Day or Two, and was
present when the Letters was brought to me yesterday by one of the
Gentlemen that Picked them off the street.

February 27
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 91

[Jos^a Beall, Lieut, Prince G^s C^ty, to His Excell^y Thomas Simm
Lee Esq^r]

I shuld be glad to know who is appointed to receive the recruits
in this County, I have past two who are plagueing the people who
engaged them for their Bounty and Accomodations, and the people
who has Engaged are as great plagues to me — beg you^d let me know
who is to take charge of them that I may deliver them up

February 27

[Jas. Calhoun, Baltimore to the Gov. & Council]

Inclosed is copy of a letter I this day received from Col^o Hollings-
worth respecting a supply of Provisions. There is none at this Post
except a quantity of Bread which I have desired M^r Donnellon to
deliver the Continental Store keeper that he may forward it on this
occasion. As to meat it has been with difficulty that I have been able

to supply a sufficiency to Issue at this Post for some time past and

am afraid there has not been any paid into the County Commissaries
as yet

February 27

[M. Gist, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee.]

I am favor'd with your Letter of the 26^th Inst, previous to which,
an Express past through this place with dispatches for Your Excel-
lency. In consequence of the information receiv'd p this Express
there appear'd an immediate necessity for at least 1200 Tons of Ship-
ping to be taken up and held in readiness to embark the Troops &c.
at the Head of Elk; and the particular exigence of the case induc'd
me to order the Commanding Officer at the Fort to prevent all Ves-

February 27
Brown Book
No. 3
Letter 24