90 Journal and Correspondence

September 9

Rec^d in discharg of the 15 p^r Cent, but believe We shall Get very
Little of that Article as it is scarce and Esq^r Jenefer has already
engaged all that was for sale in the county for the use of the army.
I shall take Every advisable measure to have the Deserters appre-
hended. Jackson I have already Got and believe he has been pre-
vented joining the Regiment by Sickness. Tho shall send him with
five other Recruits for Annapolis this day,

September
10

[Jas. Calhoun Baltimore to the Honble Council]

Gentlemen Since my return I find a M^r Mathews of this Town
is buying flour for the Directors of the Bank at Philad^a which am
apprehensive will considerable interfer with my purchases and
tend to raise the prices, I called on that Gentleman yesterday & in-
formed him that there was a Law of the State against sending Pro-
vision away without permission of the Gov^r & Council (which by
the by expires this day unless you issue a Proclamation to the
contrary) he was a good deal alarmed & asured me that his pur-
chases yet did not amount to more than 300 Bb^les none of which
should be sent farther than Elk until he rec^d other instructions
As the Bank at Philad^a was established for the purpose of supply-
ing the Army it appears to me that if a greater quantity of wheat
or flour came to this Market for sale than our finances would enable
us to purchase that it would be right to permit those Gentlemen to
be supplyd from hence as it would tend to establish a constant &
certain Market to the farmer as well as aiding the common cause
but submit it to your Hon^rs how far it would be prudent to have a
competition of purchases which always tend to raising of prices,
my humble opinion is that it would be most for the public interest
if the whole could go through the same channel
M^r Smith is candid enough to confess that he is apprehensive a
considerable part of the flour he proposed to lend is the worse for
keeping but says that he cannot be justified in having it pick'd &
the worst left on his hand, the Bread I believe is chiefly made up
of flour that was in danger of spoiling
The Collectors of this County are but just entering upon that
business the only one I have yet seen is M^r McGlaughlin of this
Town who promises to raise the money for your order in my favour
as soon as possible

September
10
Red Book
No. 26
Letter
No. 93

[Joseph Dashiell, Worcester County, to Gov. Lee]

Sir In Consequence of yours of the 21 Ult. which I Rec^d this
day week, Immediately rode round the County in Sarch of pork,
Cattle & Wheat, the latter I believe I shall not get one B^lls of as
5 p C^t more is off red for it to seed the Ground & Thirty five Barrels
of pork was all I Could Ingage, Owing as I Believe to Col^o Dag-