January 1-December 31, 1781 97

Having been told, that there was at Baltimore a number of heavy
Peices, I could not help thinking that six of the eighteen pounders,
with 300 rounds each, might be of service, but from the aversion
I feel to give any useless trouble to the state, I would only propose
that they be put in readiness, as upon information from below we
could better determine their utility.

March 1
Brown Book
No. 7
Letter 69

[Tim. Pickering, Q. M. G., Philadelphia, to Gov. Lee.]

I imagine you have been apprized that an expedition is on foot,
destined against the force under Arnold at Portsmouth, A detach-
ment from the Main army under the command of Major General the
Marquis de la Fayette, will arrive at Elk probably by the 3^d instant,
& if the craft I have ordered should be ready, they will be embarked
by the 4^th To convoy this fleet down the bay, I have directed my
deputy at Elk to endeavour to obtain some of their best armed vessels
from the merchants of Baltimore: for from information heretofore
received I doubted whether the states of Maryland & Virginia were
possessed of armed vessels of sufficient force, & that could be fitted
& manned for so sudden an enterprize. To-day however the Mar-
quis has suggested that there are some armed vessels belonging to
those states, & desired me to make application for them. I have
therefore to request of your Excellency that if your state is possessed
of any armed vessels or gallies which can be prepared for service, so
as to be useful on this occasion, that they may be fitted and manned
with the utmost dispatch They may very useful if they do not arrive
till after the operations against the enemy are commenced. As soon
as ready I request they may be ordered to follow the Marquis to
Portsmouth, & required to obey his commands.
P. S. Salted meat sufficient to last the detachment 30 days will go
from hence: but it is likely their force may be increased by the Mili-
tia, for whom an additional quantity of provisions will be required.
The events of war too are uncertain & the enterprize may not be fin-
ished so soon as expected. Give me leave therefore to request your
Excellency to cause the State agents to procure without delay, beef,
pork or bacon sufficient for 2000 men twenty days, & to have the
same brought to convenient landings to be carried to the detachment
if called for together with, a proportionable quantity of flour or bread

March 1
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 90

[Jn^o Gibson, Talbot Court House, to Governor Lee.]

Your Excellency some time ago had an application made by my
neighbour F. Baker at my request for a Nolla Pross., to quash a
Preferment against me (then one of the justices of Talbot County)
for suffering the County Court to fall in August 1778 as by the Copy
inclosed may appear; notwithstanding I attended & did every thing
in my power to have the Court called, and repeatedly requested those
Gentlemen presented with me to walk into the Court House in order
7

March 2