January 1-December 31, 1781 63

done, we bind ourselves and each of us our and each of our heirs
executors and administrators in and for the whole jointly and sever-
ally firmly by these Presents Sealed with our Seals and dated this
Ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven
hundred and Eighty one.
The Condition of the above Obligation is such that if the above
bound Zephaniah Turner who is appointed Auditor General, does
and shall faithfully perform his Duty as Auditor General aforesaid,
then the above obligation to be void else of full force
Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of
T. Johnson J^r W^m Hyde
T. Gassaway John Bullen
Zeph. Turner

February 9

[John Selby, Thomas Martin, Peter Chaille, James Martin, William
Handy, Robert Done; Worcester, to Governor Lee] (By Mr.
Truitt)

By means of M^r VandomeS^t resignation which you will find en-
closed; the County is without a Sheriff. M^r George Truitt (the
bearer hereof) is desirous to serve the publick in that Office: and as
many inconveniencies, may arise to the County in its present situ-
ation; we have prevailed on M^r Truitt to make immediate applica-
tion to your Excellency for a Commission. We beg leave to recom-
mend M^r Truitt as a person (in our opinion) of integrity: and one
that will do every thing in his power to give general satisfaction in
the execution of the said Office.

February 10

[Edward Ballard, Hampton, to S. Steward]

This is to Inform you of my unfortunate Passage home in the
Brig Kitty by your Directions I was Stearing for Philadelphia the
14^th of Jan^ry fell in with the Brig Halker Capt. Cain who Informed
me that the Fleet had Left Virginia which Incouraged me to proceed
for this but unfortunately fell in with them and got taken I am now
on parole in Hampton and should be very glad if the Capt & Crew
are not yet Exchanged that it may be possible to get one of them
to Exchange for me as soon as possible the Brig is now Lying at
Portsmouth M^r Tucker & the other hands are now on board the
Fleet at Portsmouth I was very Happy to hear you were Safe in to
Baltimore as soon as I was taken I had a very Disagreeable passage
we were till the 29^th before I arrived to the Cape and got taken
within Cape Henry I was Luckey to save most of my Cloaths and
treated very well please to take care of what trifling things I Left
behind till it be conv^t for me to get them from
NB. Tucker is very Desirous to be Exchanged as soon as it is
possible as he & all the prisoners are at very Short Alowance on bord
the Ship

February 10