30. Rid into the Neck to see the Sick People—came home by Muddy hole. A Mr. Bruce dined here.
Normand Bruce (d. 1811), of Frederick County, Md., brought a letter of introduction from Thomas Johnson, who wrote: “his Drift is to persuade people in general to manufacture coarse Linnens in earnest, to shew that Hemp is the proper material for us to rely on much in preference of Flax. . . . he wishes for your Encouragement of a Work so well intended” (17 Jan. 1775, DLC:GW).