January 1-December 31, 1781 197

to force His way from the Guard, the two others will Be delivered to
Col. Smith — from the Confession of Pigot we Have Got two other
Names which Your Excellency will find in the inclosed letter of
Major McPherson, an officer to whose perseverance zeal and worth
I am indebted for the discovery of this plot in which (on Account of
the gale that Blew a little while after He got into the Barge) His life
Has Been very much Endangered
I Had Yesterday the pleasure of seeing Col Smith's Regiment of
Militia, and Am Happy in An opportunity to report to your Excel-
lency How satisfied I Have Been with their Excellent Appearance
this And other Preparations of defence made By this Town do Her
citizens Great Honor. I am under the Greatest obligations to Captain
Moore and the Gentlemen of His corps who most obligingly Have
Exerted themselves in the procuring of our supplies.
I cannot finish this letter Before I do once more Express to your
Excellency the concern I feel for the inconveniences which our pass-
ing through this State Brings upon its inhabitants Nothing makes
me more unhappy than a necessity to impress Private property
thereby distressing our Best Citizens. But Your Excellency and
Council and indeed this whole State seem so much Aware of the
danger the Southern States are under that upon such lively Repre-
sentations of it as I Have Received is Because my duty to Hasten
My March By uncommon Exertions

April 17
Brown Book
No. 7
Letter 71

[Sam. Smith and Bowly & Stewart, Balt, to Gov. Lee.]

When S. S. propoS^td our Schooner Rover to Carry a Load of
Corn for the State, he understood that it was already provided.
We would have no objection to purchase it if the Money was Sup-
plied us, but would not risk furnishing it at a Certain price, what it
would Cost would be Charg'd & no more, on no Terms would we
furnish the Money, We should gain nothing by the Comm, no person
would do it for less than 5 p^ct we Could not buy the Corn here, we
should order the Vessell to the Eastern shore to which it would be
absolutely necessary that our Schooner had protection.
Neither officers nor Men could be procur'd unless they were paid at
least Two Months pay each in N. York, the amo^t of which they
would Certainly bring back in Goods. I know the Circumstances
with respect to the Debt & will take an order on the Cargo for the
freight on Condition you will write to Gen^l Clinton to order it to be

April 17
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 69

paid, if it not paid. We will then receive it here. The freight of 2/
p Bu^s we accept.

[T. Stone, Portobacco, to Gov. Lee]

Yesterday a Sixteen Gun Brig appeared off Swann Point & sent a
Boat with six hands to destroy a vessel on the Stocks near that place
eight Militia under Col Harris attacked them and took the Boat &
Crew, the Prisoners are Ordered to Annapolis. This morning all

April 17
Red Book
No. 4
Letter 117
[copy: in-
dorsed on
back "Orig-
inal with
Mr. Mere-
dith
Balto."]