OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 289 



he thinks it necessary an order from Council or Board of War for tliat 

 purpose should be sent. 



I am with greatest respect 



your Excell'y's most obt. Serv't, 



Adm. IIubley, Jr., Lt. Lit. Cv. 

 Hon. Wra. Atlee to Pres. Reed, 1781. 



Lancaster the 25th, May, 1781. 

 Sir: This will be handed to you by Capt. Hambright, our Barrack 

 Master, by whose care and industry the Barracks here are placed in 

 pretty good order, and I am confident he has gone the cheapest way to 

 work-in executing the business, having employed the Prisoners tliem- 

 selves in doing several parts of the work ; his knowledge of the Farmers, 

 and influence with them, has been a means of our having supplies of wood 

 and other necessaries hitherto, but they now begin to look for their pay, 

 which obliges him to undertake this Journey in hopes Council will fur- 

 nish him with Cash not only to discharge those Debts and the Moneys 

 due to Carpenters and other workmen, but to procure supplies in future. 

 We have had some disputes between the Light Horse who are sta- 

 tioned here and the Militia Guards ; one of the Dragoons, in attempting 

 to force his way into the Guard House at the Barracks, was the other 

 day killed by the Sentry on duty there, and as they seem to speak of 

 revenge, the Inhabitants seem apprehensive of some further mischief. 

 I have no doubt but their officers will do everything in their power to 

 keep them in order, and am persuaded the Militia will be watchful, but 

 should a party of those people attack the Guard in the night (which was 

 apprehended and believed to have been their intention a few nights since,) 

 the Prisoners would probably take that opportunity to force their way 

 from the Barracks, and the consequences would be bad. This considera- 

 tion has induced me to order the Block Houses at the four Corners of the 

 Stockade to be put in order, so that the whole of the militia, ordered for 

 Guards as well those on as those off duty, may live in them, and not 

 be scattered thro' the Town by Billets ; they will then be ready at their 

 Posts in case of any alarm, and will have a better eye on the conduct of 

 the Prisoners. 



A fall from my Horse which hurt my Leg badly has detained me from 

 York Court, but I intend, (though contrary to the advice of my Physi- 

 cian) to set off for Carlisle, lest I should be charged with neglect of duty. 

 I am. Dear Sir, 



with great esteem your most obedt. Scrvt., 



Will. Atlke. 

 Directed, 



His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esquire, President of the State of 



Pennsylvania. 



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