USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 28
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I am your Excellency's Mo. ob. Servt.,
J. B. ASHE.
GEN. B. LINCOLN TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book. ]
CHARLESTOWN, Jany. 28th, 1780.
DEAR SIR :
Doctor Halling will do himself the pleasure to deliver you this. He came to Philadelphia as a Surgeon to me, (I then needed one,) but on my getting better and Genl. Ashe wanting a Surgeon, the Doctor, at my request, joined him and was taken prisoner on the 3d of March at Brier Creek, where he lost his baggage. He is informed that your State have made a consideration to those under his circumstances ; if so, give me leave to recommend the Doct. to the same indulgences, for he joined General Ashe rather from an expectation of rendering service than any other view. He dis- charged his duty while with that Corps with attention and judg- ment. To the Doctor I beg leave to refer your Excellency for the news of the day.
I am, dear Sir, with great esteem,
Your Excellency's Mo. ob. Servt., B. LINCOLN.
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STATE RECORDS.
COL. ARCHD. LYTLE.TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book. ]
CHARLESTOWN NECK, Jany. 28, 1780.
SIR :
Colonel Rogers, where I am, was to take charge of the Regi- ment detached from the Hillsboro Brigade. Being so informed that he was rendered unable to perform his duty in this Expedition, the late Assembly omitting to fill the Regiment to which I belong, I solicited Genl. Butler for the Command of the Regiment, which he readily granted, first consulting the Officers of the same, to which they unanimously agreed. The command of the Salisbury and Hillsboro Drafts and Volunteers has remained with me as yet, Genl. Lillington not being arrived. Our people are mostly without their Bounty, all without Tents. I must beg leave to inform your Excellency that Mr. Ellis's Commissary at Salisbury refused to issue to the Militia. Had I not as a Continental Officer Ordered him, we must have been much worse supplied. Nevertheless, we were far from being so well as we conceived Men in service of their Country might expect. I was obliged Sundry times to grant Cer- tificates for provision & forage to the Inhabitants, promising to see them paid at the next Session of the Assembly. I think it the hardest part of duty to be obliged to take from good people their property without having in my power to pay, which must be done rather than let Soldiers suffer.
As I have not seen General Lillington, have taken the liberty to enclose a return of the Hillsboro and Salisbury Regiment.
I am your Excellency's Mo. ob. huml. Servt.,
ARCHD. LYTLE.
f
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STATE RECORDS.
GENL B. LINCOLN TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book ]
CHARLES TOWN, January 29th, 1780. (On Public Service.)
His Excellency Richard Caswell, Esqr., Governor of North Carolina. DEAR SIR :
Since I did myself the honour of addressing your Excellency, under the 24th Inst., our frigates have returned from a cruise. By them I learn that they discovered some ships off Port Royal, and that their tender saw many others off Tybee. Some of them appeared to be ships of war. On their return the frigates took two sloops, part of the fleet which left the Hook the 26th Ulto. They had about 45 Dragoons on board, wt. 45 Horses and furniture for them. (All the horses were lost on the passage but two.) From the prisoners we are informed that the fleet consisted of 140 sail, bound to Georgia, wt. a large number of troops on board, some say 10,000, and that General Clinton commands in person. Though we are uncertain as with regard to their exact number and who commands them, yet that they are in very great force cannot be questioned, or that the subjugation of this State is their object, to defeat which depends so much on the exertion of yours that I can- not help repeating my request that the full number of men ordered may be sent forward wt. all possible dispatch, and that they may, if possible, be convinced that too much depends on their present exertions, and that their owu safety and happiness is too nearly connected wt. the salvation of this State, to justify their refusal to march to its assistance, whatever small Circumstance of Bounty, &c., may intervene.
I have the honor to be,
Dear Sir, with the greatest respect, Your Excellency's most obedient Servant,
B. LINCOLN.
Since closing the above, Mr. Rutledge has returned. By him I am informed that the common Expresses are so dilatory and unfaithful that no dependence can be placed in them, and that they spread wild and groundless reports in the country that the enemy
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STATE RECORDS.
are leaving Georgia, &c., so that the necessary exertions are not made by the people, from a belief that their Services are not needed here. To prevent any delay at this eritical period, & that we may reap all the advantages of just representation of matters, I have desired Major Clarkson, one of my family, to become the bearer of this. He is well acquainted with our real Situation. From his mouth you will receive a just and impartial account of the affairs in this State, & all I know of the Enemy's force & situation in Georgia. If it should be necessary he will call on the Assembly.
I had, a few days since, information from Genl. Rutherford that, in case of necessity, he would embody 500 Volunteers & march them to our assistance. The time seems to be fast approaching when they will be really needed. This kind offer on his part, & being informed by Mr. Rutledge that he had requested leave from you to suffer us to call on him, if his services were necessary, with- out first applying to your .Exccelleney, have induced me to send to him, desiring that he would march as soon as possible with the troops he proposed.
I am, Dear Sir, Yours, B. LINCOLN.
EDWD. RUTLEDGE TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book. ]
CHARLES TOWN, Jany. 31st, 1780. MY DEAR SIR :
I did myself the pleasure of writing you a Line from George Town, acquainting you with the arrival of part of the British Fleet on the Southern Coast. There is every Reason to believe that their Land Forces are very numerous indeed. By some it is said Clynton, by others it is said Cornwallis has the Command. Be which it may, the Business will be very serious ; they have both lost reputation in this State, and we may expect that every Effort will be made to recover it. When the Fate of a country is to be decided in a single Campaign it becomes a melancholly Considera- tion, & I hope will justify me in requesting that you will continue
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STATE RECORDS.
your attention to us, by sending to our Aid, if possible, the whole number of men that your Assembly voted. If, in addition to them, a Corps of Volunteers would come to our Assistance with Expedi- tion (for everything depends on expedition) we should consider it a most friendly Act indeed. I informed General Lincoln immedi- ately on my Arrival of your having received his Letters, & that you would have no objection to his applying to General Rutherford for such Aid as he could afford, in Consequence of which he will write immediately to that Gentleman on the Subject. I wish he may arrive in time. Major Clarkson, who will deliver this Letter, is of General Lincoln's Family, & will be able to inform you of our real Situation. He will also tell you how shamefully we have been deserted by our Ally's naval officers when we most required their assistance.
With every wish for your happiness, I am, Dear Sir, with great esteem, Your affectionate Humble Servt., EDWD. RUTLEDGE.
PRESDT. J. RUTLEDGE TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book. ]
CHARLES TOWN, Jany. 31, 1780.
DEAR SIR :
Referring you for particulars to Genl. Lincoln's Letter, & to the Gent. who will deliver it, & this also, I think it necessary to acquaint you that the Enemy are arrived in very considerable force, both Land and Naval, from New York to Georgia, & that great part of them are already actually disembarked in that State. There is no Doubt that the possession and Conquest of this are their objects ; I therefore most earnestly request that the Troops of your State, destined for our assistance, may be sent on, & that you will afford us what other Aid you can with the utmost dispatch. I flatter myself that on this trying occasion North Carolina will exert herself to the utmost. It will be expedient that a Body of your Men should hover on our Frontiers, & on the least prospect or Apprehension of an Insurrection amongst our
1
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STATE RECORDS.
dissaffected, march in to crush it. I shall trouble you with the Communication of Intelligence as often as any material arises, but I entreat that without waiting for any further you will immediately use your most strenuous Endeavours to reinforce our Army.
I am, with great esteem, Dear Sir,
Your most obedt Servt.,
J. RUTLEDGE. To His Excellency, Gov. Caswell.
P. S. The 3 French Frigates which have been here some wonths lately sailed for France.
JAMES EMMETT TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
CAMPBLETON, 6th Feby., 1780.
SIR :
I did myself the honor some time ago to inform your Excel- lency that I had settled my Forage account with Mr. Mallett; at the same time desired to know if such a settlement was satisfactory to your Excellency, or what other method I might take that would be more so ; but as I have not been so happy to receive an answer from you, take the liberty once more to trouble you on the same head, and should be glad to know if you have any further occasion for my service in that way, or any other you might think me use- ful in; shall always receive your commands with cheerfulness. The Third Regiment of Light Dragoons, commanded by Lieut. Col. Washington, left this for Charleston yesterday morning. We have a report prevailing here that a Fleet has been seen off the state of Georgia. If any provision should be wanting this way, I beg leave to acquaint you that I have put up a small quantity of about 60 or 70 barrels of Beef & Pork for the House of Mallett, Emmett and Mallett, which we would gladly dispose of to the pub- lic, at the market price.
I am, with due respect, Sir,
Your Excelly's ob. Serv't., JAMES EMMETT.
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STATE RECORDS.
HON. JOHN PENN AND OTHER DELEGATES TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book. ] PHILADELPHIA, February 9th, 1780.
SIR :
You will, before this arrives, have received some resolutions of Congress for recruiting the Army, a business of the highest impor- tance at all times, but now peculiarly interesting by reason of the critical situation of public affairs, which requires the next cam- paign to be prosecuted with such vigor as may entirely expel the Enemy from every part of the United States. We are persuaded that the advantages arising from such decisive success are obvious to every one in the General Assembly, and scarcely think we have any occasion to add any other suggestion to excite their most vigor- ous and expeditious exertions for preparing a formidable force to take the field as early as possible ; but we cannot suppress an opinion which we have formed upon good grounds, that the Resto- ration of peace and the future tranquility of the United States, and particularly those to the Southward, in a great measure depend on the complete Expulsion of the Enemy by the operations of the current year. The proportions of the several States are far from being estimated by any preeise or satisfactory rule ; and you will perceive a resolution for an equitable adjustment of the expense attending the raising and providing for such Troops as shall be found to be beyond the due proportions.
The ideas we have of the circumstances of the State we have the honor to represent determined us to endeavor to obtain a resolution for making all the efforts of the States for. raising men, whether as Regulars or Militia, a common Expense. We remember the vast sums disbursed by the State, and vast expenses incurred in calling out the Militia, and in making extraordinary exertions in a War whose object is common and whose opera- tions, perhaps, have been less threatening to her than to her neighbor. We also foresaw that she must make still greater Exertions in consequence of the Enemy's having pointed their hostilities principally against the Southern States ; and we deem it our duty, Especially as doubts were thrown out in Debate, to take the sense of Congress directly on the question in order that the General Assembly may be fully informed on a subject so interesting to their Constituents. We have failed- in our
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STATE RECORDS.
motion, as you will see by the enclosed Extract from the Journals. The States who voted against it are very apprehensive of very great and perhaps unnecessary expense being the consequence of such a resolution, were it to have retrospect, but seem to have no material objection to its future operations. As our State is much interested in the Restoration operations, we did not choose to move it in that form without more particular Instructions from the State.
We have the honor to be
Your Excellency's Ob. Servts.,
JOHN PENN. THOS. BURKE. ALLEN JONES.
PRESDT. HUNTINGTON TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book. ]
PHILADELPHIA, Feby. 10, 1780.
His Excellency the Governor of North Carolina.
SIR :
Your Excellency will receive herewith inclosed an act of Con- gress of the 9th Inst., ascertaining the number of men, exclusive of Commissioned officers, for the Continental Army the next Cam- paign to be 35,210, which Congress deem necessary for the service of the present year, the Quota of each State being specified in the act.
You will observe that all the men belonging to each state respectively now in the public service, and whose time of service does not expire before the last day of September next, whether they compose the Battalions in the line of the several States, those of the additional Corps, including the guards, the artillery and horse, or the regimental artificers in the Department of the Quarter Master and Commissary General of military Stores, are to be credited to their respective States and accounted as a part of their Quota, and each State is required to furnish the respective deficiencies of their Quotas, as above stated, on or before the first day of April next.
You may expect to receive as soon as possible from the Com- mander-in-Chief or his order an accurate return of the Troops
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STATE RECORDS.
now in service belonging to the State, which will ascertain the deficiency to be furnished by the States respectively, agreeable to the act inclosed.
As the Quotas apportioned to each State may be supposed not to be exactly just, you will observe Congress have made provision to pay the Expense any State hath incurred or may incur by fur- nishing more than their Just proportion of men.
It is recommended to each State respectively, in the strongest Terms, punctually to comply with this requisition by furnishing their respective Quotas of men compleat without loss of time.
Many powerful motives, too obvious to need enumeration, con- spire to urge the propriety, policy and necessity of having a pow- erful Army ready to take the field early in the Spring. Vigorous exertions and a respectable Army in the field are the most sure means to prevent the necessity of another Campaign ou the one hand, or on the other to crown it with the desired success and put a period to the Contest upon honourable Terms.
I have the honour to be,
With every Sentiment of respect, Your Excellency's huml. Servt., S. HUNTINGTON, President.
GEN ALEX. LILLINGTON TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book ] CAMP NEAR CHARLESTOWN, Feby. 12th, 1780.
Please your Excellency.
SIR :
It would be the neglect of Duty in me not to Inform your Excellency of our Arrival here. After an Excessive cold & hard March here, I met with Genl. Lincoln's orders at Cleggs Ferry, over against George Town, to march to the Mills on the Edisto. By the time we got to Dorchester in our way I had orders to march down to Charles Town, at which place we arrived the 28th of last Instant. The troops are in as good health as could be expected, having lost but one man, who Died at George Town. We found the officers here encamped with about sixty Men from the Westward. I think myself very happy in the appointment of Major Dickson & Major Nelson, and could freely wish your Excellency would recommend these Gents. to the Assembly if there
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STATE RECORDS.
should be more Militia sent to the Southward, As I am sure they will serve cheerfully if leave can be granted them by their Com- manding officer ; for my part, I cannot think otherwise than to have some regular officer with the Militia must be a very great advan- tage to them. Our men have been on hard Duty ever since we have been here, not less than two h'd or more every Day on Fatigue. The Inclosed is a general return for your perusal, wherein you will see, Sir, what Field Officers I had with me on our Mareh ; Major Dublin just come to camp. We have men more or less coming in every Day. General Lincoln was in camp this morning, and Informed me he had an Express come to him last night with Information that the British Troops had arrived with Eight thousand men. I wish we had all our forees collected ; I think we could be so well prepared for them by the time they can get here that we could give them a warmn reception, I hope. Sir, wishing this may find you & your good family in perfect health,
Yr. Excellency's Most obedient Servant,
ALEX. LILLINGTON.
BENJAMIN HAWKINS, ESQ., TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
BATH, 14th February, 1780.
DEAR SIR :
I have the pleasure of informing your Excellency of my arrival here with some muskets for this state. I shipped eight hundred and seventy-eight stand from St. Enstatia. I shall land five hun- dred stand at Washington; the remainder, which came in another bottom, will be at Edenton. I could not procure any thing on the faith of the state, or by barter for provisions or tobacco, as was expected. They were taught to believe in the West Indies that a bushel of salt would purchase one hundred weight of tobacco, and that two and a half a barrel of Pork. While they entertain this Idea (salt being of little value there) it will be impossible to barter for more valuable articles, the exchange to be in this State, as was suggested by some gentlemen in the Assembly. The 15-22
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STATE RECORDS.
price of tobacco had fallen in the West Indies, about the time of my arrival there, owing to the quantity just then imported from the continent, which, with the advice of Mr. Governor, the conti- nental agent there, determined me to reship the tobacco in Dutch bottoms to Enrope. He undertook to do it, and advanced for six hundred of the arms; the remainder I purchased on my own credit, on Interest for the State. The arms are very good, and purchased at the reasonable price of five and a half pieces-of-eight per stand. Part of the tobacco I shipped was damaged, which can only be accounted for either by the negligence of the inspec- tor or the bad state of the warehouses wherein it was stored. We were apprised of the sailing of the Fleet from New York, which made me assiduons in getting all the arms I could in St. Eustatia, as I well knew our situation.
A large supply of arms and Clothing may be had by this from the West Indies, provided we can make remittances. Three thousand stand I am offered, and one thousand suits of clothing.
Should the present plan of importing necessaries still continne to be countenanced by the General Assembly, I shall prepare to remit as much as possible, tho' I doubt vessels cannot be procured. Freighting vessels at the present extravagant prices will not be so advantageous to us as purchasing. If the latter be practicable I must draw on you for money. I will send you the price current of articles for the West India market by the next opportunity.
A Continental Brigantine was cut out from Saley (?) by some British privateers, tho' opposed by the fire from the port. She has since been demanded, but refused. It was suggested that the Captain, ashamed, and some of his men went into the fort and assisted in protecting their vessel. The answer of the Gov. of St. Kitt's to the demand is humorous. He congratulated the Gov. of Saley on the restoration of the Island, seized by the rebel Amer- icans. Part of the French Fleet have arrived at Martinique, but we had no accounts of the Count. Some supposed he had sailed for Europe, others to Sonth America. We had various reports from Europe, which as I recollect I send you. The Dutch have been repeatedly solicited to take part with Britain .. They made it as much as possible. It is said they have given for a reason that they did not think the intentions of the British ministry to be to the interest either of Britain or her allies, but manifestly to
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STATE RECORDS.
their ruin and discredit ; and therefore, although they were and are at all times ready to act for the interest of great Britain, yet, for the reasons before named, they must now declare themselves neuter and protest against the proceedings of their, the necessary Allies. This is credited by some in St. Eustatia. They further report that the Dutch Ambassador has been recalled from the British Court in Consideration of a demand of some vessels car- ried into the Texel by John Paul Jones. The Gov. of St. Eusta- tia imagines that the Dutch will take part with Britain. The Grand Convention will be at Versailles in April. The King of Prussia & Empress of Russia have promised their mediation. The British Fleet are in Torbay, and do not expect to put to sea till April. John Paul Jones, who sailed from Brest in a fifty Gun Ship with some frigates, went North about and did infinite dam- age to the British vessels. He fell in with the convoy from Nor- way and took the Serapis, a new fifty Gun ship, and the Countess of Scarborough, of 20 Guns ; engaged the Serapis two hours, and the whole time they were so near that the Guns touched the oppo- site vessel. Jones lost one hundred and eighty two men and Pear- son 109. Jones' ship run in the next day, and he went with his prize into the Texel, there to right them. Sir Joseph York demanded them, which was so strenuously opposed by the French minister that his demand was refused and repeatedly. Jones was received with every imaginable mark of respect by the Dutch. I expect the pleasure of seeing your Excellency within a few days. Exeuse the imperfection of my letter.
I am, with dne respect, Dear Sir,
Your mo. ob. Servt.,
BENJAMIN HAWKINS.
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STATE RECORDS.
GEN. GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
February 17th, 1780.
SIR :
I am truly sorry I had not the pleasure of seeing yon, but as I am so circumstanced I hope you will excuse me, for I could not prevail on my company or any one of them to stay for me.
The sitnation of our Country is truly alarming. I am blame- able as well as others in producing the distresses ; but when a Coun- try is imposed on, as the Westward part of this State is, I think the Blame not so much. But as the Assembly sits at this time, the security of our State depends on your Excellency's exertions, with the advice of your Counsel. The raising of men to send out of the State, by order of the Gov. and Counsel, is a matter of doubt. But surely every friend to his Country will readily agree, be that as it may, and as an individual do entreat you to send me such advice to govern my conduct at this alarming time. I have to acquaint you that Major General Lincoln wrote me a letter, dated the 30th of January last, requesting that I would endeavor to raise 500 light horse men, to go and join him as quick as pos- sible, informing me that Sir Henry Clinton, in company with a large armament, in order to subdue the Southern States, the which, I have no doubt, you are acquainted. At the time that I received his letter I was preparing for the Assembly, not doubt- ing but that the Assembly would readily agree to send a further aid to South Carolina. I wrote to nine Counties, requesting that the field officers should raise one hundred men in each County as volunteers to go to South Carolina ; I proposed going myself. I shall now wait your orders. I requested the Cols. to rendezvous the men the 12th day of March next. Pray, Sir, send me your orders as quick as you may think necessary, for I am at this time really distressed at the alarming situation of my Country. There
. is one thing I request of your Excellency, that you would omit signing any grants for land in Burke County, that lies on the Mul- berry Fork of the middle Creek, or otherwise called Johns River, or if such Grants are signed I crave that they do not issue until
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a further hearing be had, for I do assure you that a great deal of mischief will be done if grants be given for some Lands in these parts.
Excuse this imperfect seroll.
I remain your humbl. Serv't, GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD.
HON. CORN. HARNETT TO HON. THOMAS BURKE.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
-
DEAR SIR :
POPLAR GROVE NEAR WILMINGTON, February 22nd, 1780.
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