[Col. John Tayloe to Col. Landon Carter] [March 31, 1771]
Now give me leave to complain to you, that your Patroll do not do their duty, my people are rambling about every night, the
last my saddle shews, a barbarous use [illeg.] allso, your favorite; my man Billie was out, he says he rode no horse of Masters,
& that he only was at Col. Carter's, by particular invitation, so that the Entertainment was last night at Sabine hall, &
may probably be at Mt. Airy this night, if my discoverys do not disconcert the Plan, these things could not be so I think,
if the Patrollers did the duty they are paid for. I thank you for your neighbourly intentions, but we cannot command times,
or Seasons, & from such weather can only pray, Good Lord deliver us
[Note: Tayloe's "man Billie" is possibly the same personal servant who ran off again in 1774, when Tayloe advertised for his capture. Billie, or Billy, or Will, belonging to Tayloe, also fought for the British during the Revolution, and was tried before the Prince William County Court in 1781.] Bibliographic Information Availability
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