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L. H. J.
Liber No. 49
Dec. 7
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Bags which would be easier to the people for they could go up of the
Maryland Side, and that I ought to write to the Governor about it and
that I might make use of his name as an Excuse for the delay, and
for giving such advice. Things were carried on in this manner all
Tuesday and we had only got three Waggons & eight Horses : and
as I saw no prospects of getting more and understood from Capt.
Ransburgh and from M.r Dixon and others that the People were got
under Arms to release the Waggons, I designed to have sent them
away in the Night & had them put into the yard for that purpose,
the owners and others insisted with great uproar that they should
be Appraised which accordingly was done by Capt. Stephen Runs-
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p. 140
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burgh and Mr. John Kimball but the People continued still Clamorous
and insisted on my paying according to Valuation or giving Security
they should be returned with good Order and with many threats
declared no waggons should be carried out of Town, and even the
Women came and stood by the Horses with long knives to prevent
the Soldiers coming near them.
Afterwards Capt. Runsburgh told me it would be impossible to
carry the waggons off for there was a large Body of Armed Men
who would release them, that he had got two Guns and his Pistols
loaded and that he had left Orders that no Waggon nor Horses
should be pressed from him, But persuaded me to accept of Col.o
Cresaps proposal to send the Provisions by Horses and Baggs and
that if I would accept of that way he, Hardman, Knave, Tofler and
others who were present would engage to get a sufficient number of
Horses and Bags the next day, and M.r Dixon seemed to think it
would be the only way to get the Service done, and as these People
had great Interest among the Dutch he thought I might depend on
their promise and release the three Waggons and eight Horses which
at last with much difficulty I agreed to.
Col.o Cresap went away on Wednesday morning and I sent up the
Party to get the Waggons ready, who were to meet at the Mouth
of Conegocheigh, and to wait for the Horses and bags who were to
go from Frederick Town and the Col.o promised me to get what he
could so as we might make up 100 or 150 Horses and bags to go
from thence, I have not heard how far he executed his promise I
only wish for the sake of the men who are in great want at Fort
Cumberland that a greater regard may be paid to promises that I
found at Frederick Town, for betwixt two and three on Wednesday
afternoon Capt. Runsburgh and some others came to Town and
told me they had been out since six that morning and they could
not get one Horse and that the people were all under Arms and bid
them tell me they would neither Obey the Governor nor any Body
else and that they would sooner loose their lives than go on any such
Service unless the Governor would appoint one in Town to pay
them.
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