USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 30
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Nothing very particular has taken place since my last. The Enemy have been attempting to get their ships over the Bar, but while the tides were up the winds were contrary, which prevented their getting in. At the full of the moon, there will be another opportunity. They have erected a Battery opposite to the west part of the town, at Wappoo Creek on the North Side, but the distance from town is so great that little is to be apprehended from it. I daily expect them before the lines on the north part of the town.
As the people in the back parts of the Country seem to be quiet, as the time for which some of your troops engaged will soon expire, and as I hear nothing of the remainder of three thousand first ordered, I have wrote to the officer commanding the two thonsand directed to assemble near the boundary of this State, and have requested him to march to our assistance. I wish to see the remainder of the three thousand & this garrison fully manned, for I am convinced on the salvation or loss of it depends the sal- vation or loss of the State, and with it yours may suffer.
I am, Dear Sir, with the highest esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient Servant,
B. LINCOLN.
His Excellency Governor Caswell.
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STATE RECORDS.
PREST. SAM HUNTINGTON TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
PHILADELPHIA, March 14th, 1780.
SIR :
Enclosed your Excellency will receive a Recommendation of Congress to the several States to set apart Wednesday, the 26th of April next, as a day of fasting, humiliation and Prayer.
With great respect, I have the honor to be, Yonr Excellency's humbl. Servt., SAM. HUNTINGTON, Presdt.
PETER MALLETT TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
CAMPBLETON, March 14th, 1780.
SIR :
I was honored with Your Excellency's favor of the 25th Feby., covering sundry warrants to amount of £30,000, and I am very sorry to inform you that our success in raising money from them is very poor. However, I shall take every step possible to procure provisions, both at this place and P. D., in hopes that the Assembly will make me good for what moneys I advanced of my own for that purpose. If it is possible to forward from five to ten thousand pounds per bearer in Continental bills, it would be very acceptable at P. D. My only fear is the want of money in that department. Forage is exceedingly scarce here ; flour, bread and rice-I have already procured sufficient to last to Hailey's.
I am Your Excellency's mo. ob. humbl. Servt.,
P. MALLETT.
357
STATE RECORDS.
GEN. JOHN BUTLER TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
HILLSBORO, 15th March, 1780.
SIR :
This day the Drafts from the several Counties in the District is ordered to Rendezvous here. They are not all gathered yet. I hope to be able to mnareh them to Charlotte before the first of April. The bearer brings you a packet from Congress.
I am, with due regard, Your ob. Servt., JOHN BUTLER.
COL. ROBERT ROWAN TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
CAMPBLETON, 15th March, 1780.
SIR :
Your Excelleney's favor, with the warrants on the Treasury, eame safe to hand.
When I was at Kingston you informed me, Sir, that the Militia were to Rendezvous at this place, in consequence of which I ordered the Tents, Cartridge boxes and Bayonet belts to be put on board a boat at Wilmington and sent here, and had it not been for Parson Boyd taking upon himself to order her back again when she had got half way up, thinking there were Stores on board that the Brigade would be in want of, the boat would have been here long since. However, I am still in hopes of his getting up in time, as it is two weeks since she left Wilmington. I fancy there will be enough of Cartridge boxes and Bayonet belts for the present occasion. There are also several Tents and a great num- ber of Flints.
I have now in my employ Archibald Henry, a Shoemaker, and James McCraken, a Tailor. They were both drafted on last Fri. day. I was hurried to get some work done to send forward to the Brigade. It is really difficult to get Tradesmen without pay-
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STATE RECORDS.
ing them most extravagantly. These two men I hired on good terms, some time before the Drafts, but could not prevail on the Colonel to excuse them. I fancy your Excellency has that power, and should be exceedingly glad of a line for that purpose.
I have the honor to be, with great respect,
Your Excellency's mo. ob. Servt., ROBT. ROWAN.
COL. JAMES KENAN TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book. ]
DUPLIN, March 16th, 1780.
SIR :
According to promise, I am to inform your Excellency that I am to go with the Militia to So. Carolina. I did not attend the draft at Wilmington for the Major, nor have I yet heard who was drafted from this district. I shall be much obliged to you to inform me who is Lieut. Col., and when you think the Militia from New Bern District will march ; my men from this County will march with them to Cross Creek. If you have any new orders for me, you'l please to send them by the bearer hereof.
I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency's mo. ob. humbl. Servt., JAS. KENAN.
Gov. Caswell.
P. S. Please to let me know what General goes.
-
COL. JAMES KENAN TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
DUPLIN, March 19th, 1780.
DEAR SIR :
I received your favor of the 16th inst. It gives me real pleas- ure to find that my taking the Command of the Militia to South Carolina meets your Excellency's apposition, and be assured, Sir, I shall do everything belonging to my duty that can be expected
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STATE RECORDS.
from an undisciplined officer. I am exceedingly happy to find that I am commanded by General Caswell, whose abilities will do honor to the officers and men under his command.
I have sent a wagon for the muskets, Bayonets, &c., according to your request. Please to send one Cartridge Box and Bayonet properly in fix, as it will be a pattern for us to have the others done in the same way. It will be necessary to have a few pounds of powder to clean the inside of the Guns, besides what I have. I am in great want of a Marquee or some kind of Shelter from the weather. I have sent a Cart to Wilmington for Tents for the men. My Militia comes in very slow. A number, I am told, swear they will not go; those I will send after and bring in, if possible. A list of the whole men drafted I enclose you ; there are five or six that are discharged, not being able to do any duty whatsoever.
Should your Excellency have received any news that you are at large to communicate, please to let me know it.
I have the honor to be your Excellency's Mo. ob. & very humbl. Servt., JAS. KENAN.
PREST. SAM. HUNTINGTON TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
PHILADELPHIA, March 20th, 1780.
SIR :
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed an Act of Con gress of the 18th Inst., calling upon the several States to bring in the Continental Currency by monthly taxes, or otherwise, as shall best suit their respective circumstances in proportion to the Quotas assigned to each State by the resolution of the 7th of October, 1775, and making provisions for other Bills to be issued in lieu thereof under the restriction and regulations in the act.
This aet is the result of much labor and deliberation, as the happiest expedient that could be adopted to extricate these States from the embarrassments of a fluctuating medium, and at the same time in some measure afford the necessary means for sup- porting the ensuing campaign. You will readily perceive the
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STATE RECORDS.
importance of this measure, and the indispensable necessity of unanimity in the States in conforming thereto.
It is requested that there may be no delay in taking this act under consideration, and that the Assembly, if not sitting, may be convened as soon as possible for that purpose, and that the Laws that may be enacted in pursuance thereof be transmitted to Congress without delay. The new Bills will be struck under the direction of the Board of the Treasury and sent to the several States in due proportion.
You have also enclosed an act of Congress of this day, recom- mending the revision of such laws as may have been passed, mak- ing the Continental Bills a Tender in Discharge of Debts, &c.,
I have the honor to be,
With every sentiment of esteem and respect,
Your Excellency's ob. Servt., SAM. HUNTINGTON, Presdt.
GEN. THOS. EATON TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
TARBORO, March 21st, 1780.
SIR :
Enclosed is a return of the Drafts, agreeable to your Excel- lency's last orders, and I flatter myself you will not find so many Delinquents as you may reasonably expect, adverting to the former Drafts.
The Delinquency of the July and November orders hath been owing to a variety of causes, first, that the two field officers who were appointed to take command failed to march ; another cause, that in some Counties so many officers have taken Shelter under the act of Assembly by hiring that there are not officers to transact the business incident to a Draft. In Northampton in particular they had but two Captains, and so great is the indiffer- ence towards the cause, even among the officers of the Militia, that you will scarcely believe me when I tell you, altho' I have repeatedly required my officers to make a return of the former Drafts, yet cannot procure them to forward on, nor should I be able at present to send on these, had I not have put myself to
361
STATE RECORDS.
more than common tronble; however, I am determined for the future to proceed with all the rigour (and more in some cases) that the law will admit of. I hope I shall have it in my power to send yon a return by the sitting of the Assembly ; until I am contradicted by you I shall proceed to return all Deserters that come within my knowledge to Genl. Sumner. Since I began my letter I find it will not be in my power to send you the return of the Franklin Militia, as they have failed to appear at the place of Rendezvous.
I remain, your Excellency's very humbl. Servt., THOS. EATON.
-
JONTH. BURRALL ESQ., TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
PAY OFFICE, PHILADELPHIA, March 21st, 1780. SIR :
A warrant on your Excellency for nine hundred thousand Dol- lars was issued by Congress on the 16th Inst., payable to my order, which sum is to be transmitted to Joseph Clay, Esqr., Paymaster General for the Army under the command of Genl. Lincoln, for the use of the Military Chest in that Department, and I was informed by the Board of Treasury that there was not a possibility of there being a sufficient sum in the Treasury of your State to answer it at present. I have endorsed the warrant and sent it to Mr. Clay, and must beg your Excellency to give him or Genl. Lincoln the earliest information when the money or any part of it may be obtained.
I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency's mo. ob. Servt., JONTH. BURRALL, Assist. Paymt. Genl.
362
STATE RECORDS.
PETER MALLETT TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
SIR :
CAMPBLETON, March 24, 1780.
I have received your Excellency's favor of Inst. per Mr. Graves. I cannot avoid mentioning my distressed situation for money, and which daily increases by means of the Continental Troops from Virginia passing this place. My exertions for their supplies have not been a little, and my advancement in money out of my own Desk is not a small sumn in every department. For other particu- lars I must refer you to Mr. Green.
If the Militia are detained a week longer, they may possibly be supplied with forage, but at present there is none, nor will there be any until it be Boated up the River. They will be furnished with provisions here, I believe, as well as expected. In case they come about the 30th it will be necessary that they impress wagons or Carts in Duplin to last them four or five days' forage after they arrive here.
I shall daily be in expectation of a sum of money being for- warded me.
I am, your Excellency's mo. ob. humbl. Servt., P. MALLETT.
GEN. B. LINCOLN TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
CHARLESTOWN, March 25th, 1780.
DEAR SIR :
The time expired yesterday for which the greatest part of your Militia engaged to serve. They could not (a few excepted) be prevailed on to continue longer, tho' the Governor offered them for three months a bounty of a suit of clothes and three hundred dollars. Those whose time expires on the 6th of April claimed their discharges also, but the state of our force forbade our grant-
363:
STATE RECORDS.
ing the request. I hope your people will soon arrive to our aid. The Enemy have got a number of their ships over the Bar and anchored them in Five Fathom Hole ; we expect them up the first wind. Their Army is on James Island, and on the main west of Ashley River, as far up as Drayton Hall, thirteen miles above this Town. We expect them every day before our lines. We are in hopes of keeping open with the Country a communication by Cooper River.
I have the honor to be, Dr. Sir, With the greatest respect, Your mo. ob. Servt., B. LINCOLN.
COMMISSARY JOSEPH GREEN TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
WAYNE, 29th March, 1780. DR. SIR :
Enclosed is a letter to your Excellency from Mr. Mallett, which he desired me for to forward.
Genl. Woodford's Brigd. reached Campbleton the 22nd Inst. about 12 o'clock. The whole crossed by twelve next day and marched the same day about six or seven miles. I am in hopes they will soon be at Charlestown, as they march about twenty miles a day, when no ferry to hinder them. Your Express to Genl. Rutherford I forwarded, but understand he had marched. I made out for Genl. Woodford's Brigd. better than I expected with pro- visions ; the article of forage is exceedingly scarce, and I fear they will not be able to supply the Train of Artillery and Baggage horses men with a sufficient quantity of Corn. That article is from twelve to fifteen pounds per bushel, and not to be had. Genl. Woodford informed me in about fifteen days after he marched there was fifteen hundred Militia to follow him, and the remainder of Genl. Scott's Brigade.
I am in hopes your Excellency will be pleased to lay my dis- tressed situation before the Legislature of this state, and if possi-
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STATE RECORDS.
ble that I may be supplied with cash. I am obliged to give at least 25 per cent. more for every article I purchase on credit than it might be had at if I was in cash for that purpose.
I am, with esteem, Dr. Sir, Your Excellency's ob. humbl. Servt., JOSEPH GREEN.
COL. GEORGE LITTLE TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
HERTFORD COUNTY, 30th March, 1780. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY :
In consequence of Genl. Gregory's orders, I have received a draft, to be made out of the Militia of this County, for the num- ber of men called for. But through a multiplicity of difficulties and inconveniencies which naturally arise upon these occasions amongst the Militia, who are so unaccustomed to march into the field of Mars, I have not been able to get them off so soon as I could have wished for, but as I'm young in office I hope your Excellency will pardon what he does not look upon as remission in my duty. I hope you'l pardon the freedom I take in writing to your Excellency in this sort, as it shall always be without vio- lating that respect due to your merit. The wagon employed to attend this present draft of troops I have engaged to be discharged at Kingston. The real difficulty I found attended getting a wagon for the service reduced me to a necessity of engaging it on these terms, therefore must beg your indulgence so far as to discharge it on the arrival of the Troops. I am afraid I have already tres- passed on your patience through prolixity, therefore shall conclude with subscribing myself,
Your Excellency's mo. ob. servt., GEORGE LITTLE.
P. S. There is a young Gentleman in Capt. Lewis Brown's company by the name of Lewis Carter, of a creditable family,
365
STATE RECORDS.
which I take the freedom of recommending to your Excellency's notice if a vacant Ensigney or Lieutenancy offers.
I am, &c., G. L.
You'l please to excuse this imperfect hurried scrawl, being wrote in the midst of a crowd.
I am, &c., G. L.
LE CHEVALIER D'ANMOURS TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
EDENTON, April 1st, 1780.
SIR :
I have the honor to subjoin to this the Credential Letter his Excellency, the Chevelier de la Luzerne, sent me some time ago, on account of my being appointed Consul of France to the state under your Excellency's Government. I expected to have that of delivering it myself in your hands, but am prevented from doing it by some essential and unforseen affairs that immediately require my presence in Virginia and Maryland, in which states I also hold the same cominission. I am excessively proud, Sir, of being appointed in that quality to the State of North Carolina, as I am perfectly well acquainted with the sincere regard my Sovereign entertains for that Commonwealth. Nothing on my side will be spared to maintain a solid union between its subjects and those of the King my Master that do or will hereafter reside in it. I leave to your Excellency, the honorable Conncil and the Honorables the Houses of Assembly's choice how to authenticate and make known the power that Commission gives me over his most Christian Majesty's subjects residing in this state. I beg leave, however, to recommend the measures that were taken in Virginia by an Act of its Assembly in its last Session, and the proclamation of the Governor in consequence of it ; tho' they are but temporary and eventual ones, yet they will serve till a gen- eral plan be settled between our Ministers and the Americans in France. I also take the liberty of representing to the Legis-
:366
STATE RECORDS.
lative and Executive powers that it is very essential to make proper particular regulations for the encouragement of the French trade in this state, the want of which, I perceive, has been ruin- ons to that carried by France at the beginning of the present War; and of course disgusted the foreign merchants from send- ing any more ships into the ports of North Carolina. There was a time when they crowded into its harbors as much as circumn- stances arising from war could admit of it. Now there is scarcely one, and (I say it with regret) there is very little prospect they will ever venture upon any such expeditions till they see proper steps taken to protect them in every manner, and particularly to stop the desertion of their crews. It is too well known that, specially in that point, their Masters could never obtain the least redress ; nothing but an active and severe law upon that subject can obviate to that inconveniency, the consequence of which must be fatal to all foreign commerce, and to this state also. I will still observe that it would be necessary that I should be at liberty to appoint such agents in every port of the state in order to act in my absence in fortuitous cases that admit of no delay, and patronize the French Ships that might arrive in them. Those agents whom I would choose, either amongst the American or French Merchants, ought to be free from the Militia Law, or any other service that may take them from the place of their resi- dence. I believe New Bern, Edenton, Bath, Beaufort, Bruns- wick and Wilmington would be the proper places where they ought to be appointed. I flatter myself, Sir, that you will be so good as to transmit this to the honorable the Council of the State, and the honorable the house of Assembly, and also com- municate to me their Resolutions on those important subjects, as well as the act which will authenticate my Commission in North Carolina, and your proclamation in consequence thereof.
I am, with the highest consideration and regard, Sir,
Your Excellency's mo. ob. & humbl. Servt.,
LE CHEVELIER D'ANMOURS,
Consul for his most Christian Majesty in the States of North Carolina & Virginia and Maryland.
Gov. Caswell.
P. S. Be pleased to direct your letters at Williamsburg, where
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STATE RECORDS.
I shall leave orders to forward them to me, wherever I may be when they arrive there.
DR. THOS. BURKE TO CORNELIUS HARNETT.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
PHILADELPHIA, Apr. 15, 1780. DEAR SIR :
I have had from you, very lately, a letter which announced to me your safe arrival at your own home. I am very glad that you have surmounted the difficulties of a journey which I have often thought of with very great and severe apprehensions. Your spirits, I perceive, are good, and your health, I hope, will always continue as well as you can wish it. Mine, I find, declines apace, and I am satisfied that another year's close application in Congress would make a perpetual citizen in Philadelphia, and give me a right to the soil from whence nothing short of the Final Judgment of the World conld eject me. Gen. Jones and myself continued at our old quarters until about ten days ago, and had the pleasure of the company of our old agreeable friends, Mrs. and Miss Viney. But even their Society could not render our situation any longer tolerable, and we changed our quarters to the house formerly occupied by our friend, George Ross, which we have taken ready furnished. We live there as comfortably as we wish. I will not trouble you with a detail of the proceedings of Congress, but will enclose yon papers which contain our New Money Act, which, together with the call for specific supplies, the Requisition for quotas of Troops, a Resolution for making good the pay of the Army, and a resolution appointing a Committee of three, Schuyler, Matthews and Peabody, to go to camp with powers to adopt and carry into execution any plan respecting the Quartermaster's and Commissary's Department, constitute all the business of great consequence which has been completed. The last appears to me to be a contrivance to prevent our making any considerable alterations in those departments, and to give consequence to a certain Individ. in whose personal qualities and Individual Utility and importance Congress have found much business and much alterations and embarassment.
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STATE RECORDS.
PRESIDENT J. RUTLEDGE TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
GEORGETOWN, April 25th, 1780.
SIR :
It appears to me a most essential object to restore as soon as possible and to preserve the Communication between Charles- town and this part of the Country by way of Haddrell's and Lamprieres Point. I have therefore ordered Genl. Williamson, who is here, as I am informed, about Orangeburg with 450 men, and Colonel Thompson, who is also there, to cross Santee River with the Troops under their command, (except 50 of Colonel Thompson to remain at Orangeburg,) and march with the utmost expedition on the North side of the River to Lenard's Ferry, and I recommend it to you to do the same with the Troops now in your . Camp, and to order those by whom you expect to be joined to procced after you as fast as possible. I have sent similar recommendations to Col. Hewes at Beaufort as to their Troops and to Col. White respecting the horse. My wish is that as soon as this force can all be assembled at Lenards they should cross the River, for the purpose above mentioned, which I hope and think they will effect. I shall order the Arms and Ammuni- tion you want, and provisions for all the Troops above mentioned, sent to Lenard's Ferry. By the time they can arrive there, I mean that the Militia which are directed to Assemble at Wright's Bluff should rendezvous there till a sufficient number can be col- lected there to reinforce the Troops now ordered and recommended to march to Lenards Ferry.
I am, Sir, your mo. ob. Servt.,
J. RUTLEDGE.
MAJ. W. R. DAVIE TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
CHARLOTTE, August 29th, 1780.
SIR :
The Enemy's falling immediately back to Camden and mak- ing no further advantage of their victory laid me under no neces-
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STATE RECORDS.
sity of retreating further than this. I kept out small parties of Horse to eover the Country and furnish us with regular Intelli- genee. The number of the Militia in Camp have been so fluetu- ating that nothing could be done. Last Saturday, with some diffi- eulty, a command of one hundred horse was made up. I proceeded with them down the Country as far as three miles below the Hang- ing Roek.
The Tory Militia have returned to their Plantations, but none of them appeared ; they have robbed a few houses, and take every opportunity of expressing their designs of plundering the Country and murdering the Whiggest Inhabitants.
The North Carolina Militia are now reduced to 300 in Cam- den, and those are detained by the Enemy's solemnly engaging to march into this State between the first and tenth of next month.
The arrangements the Enemy are making in Camden indicate a disposition of this kind. They are industriously mounting their Infantry on the captured horses, refreshing and showing the Cavalry of the Legion & Getting Barrels made to carry provisions. This looks like a Bush-Country Trip. Have sent off some of their Baggage to Charlestown, Convinced, I sup- pose, of the uncertainty of human affairs. Last Monday, Tues- day and Wednesday marched off the Prisoners to Garrison.
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