The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV, Part 45

Author: North Carolina. cn; North Carolina. Trustees of the Public Libraries; Saunders, William Lawrence, 1835-1891, ed; Clark, Walter, 1846-1924 ed; Weeks, Stephen Beauregard, 1865-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Goldsboro, N. C., Nash brothers, printers
Number of Pages: 822


USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 45


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59


Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servant,


ALEX. MARTIN.


N. B. The members of the Board are Matthew Lock, David Wil- son and William Cathew, Esqrs., to whom please order your Secre- tary to direct at Salisbury. His Excellency,


Govr. Burke.


GOV. THOS. NELSON JR., TO GOV. BURKE.


RICHMOND, July 27th, 1781.


DEAR SIR :


Your favor of the 19th instant was delivered to me yesterday. If to engage in the arduous business of Government can be agreeable, I heartily congratulate you on your appointment.


The whole system of Government in the Southern States is so de- ranged that the man who can organize and bring them into order will be Magnus Appollo. 15-37


578


STATE RECORDS.


CAPT. DANL. WILLIAMS TO GENERAL SUMNER.


-


GRANVILLE C. HOUSE, July 27th, 1781.


DEAR GENL :


This being the third time I wrote you informing the reason of my not joining your Brigade agreeable to Captain Doherty's re- quest, my property though small lies very much in the power of the enemy, and I have every reason to believe that they will make their next rout through that neighborhood and make a 2nd. de- struction which would put it out of my power to continue in ser- vice, and therefore make a third request to be no longer considered as an officer in the Continental Line, and hope some gentleman of superior abilities will be preferred to the Honourable rank and do justice to U. S. than was in my power.


I have heard it hinted that I disobeyed orders by not joining your Brigade a second time in S. C., in the year 1779. Having it so much in my power to elear that part of my conduct that it gave me no concern, for your and other friends satisfaction, I enclose you a copy of my order which you gave me, wrote by Major Eaton, (which I now have). My best wishes to you and brother officers pray- ing for all your returns Crowned with Lawrells, I am with respect, Dr. Genl.


Yours, DANL. WILLIAMS.


COL. GUNBY TO GOVERNOR BURKE.


CHARLOTTE, 28th July 1781.


DR. SIR :


I have been sick at this place several weeks, but am now on the recovery. General (freene have requested me to take the superin- tending of military matters here, till the situation of my health will admit of my joining the army.


From the late movements of the enemy in Virginia, I think it probable they may pay us a visit in this State shortly; should this


579


STATE RECORDS.


be the case, please to furnish me with such intelligence respecting their rout, as you may think necessary to enable me to move the stores &c. from those posts and on the route to escape them.


I am with the greatest respect your Obt. Hum. Servant,


J. GUNBY.


STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,


July 28th, 1781.


Whereas the public prisons in the. Several Counties and districts in this State have been much Neglected to the great prejudice of the administration of Justice and encouragement of profligate and dis- orderly persons, and the Same appearing to me to be an Abuse which requires an Immediate remedy, 1 have thought fit to repre- sent the same to the Council of State and the Said Council have thought it advisable that the Several County Courts be enjoined to repair the prisons of their respective Counties.


I do therefore by and with the advice of the said Council of State require the Sheriff's of the respective Counties to cause the condition of the respective public prisons thereof to be examined by Sufficient Judges and the same to be laid before their respective County Courts to the End that they may order that every repair be made thereto. And I do hereby charge and require the County Courts respectively to take the Same into Consideration and to take order thereon as the Laws of the State direct.


THOS. BURKE,


Governor.


To be copied for the respective Counties.


COPY OF LETTER TO SHERIFF WITH EXTRACTS FROM THE PRO- CEEDINGS IN COUNCIL, JULY 28TII. 1871.


STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,


July 28th, 1781.


SIR :


You will find enclosed certain extracts from Proceedings in Coun- cil which relate to ('ivil arrangements. The great remissness in the discharge of public duties which has prevailed for some time past has


580


STATE RECORDS.


been productive of many disorders and Enormities dangerous to the public peace and good order,and disgraceful to the dignity of the State. I hope the Vigilance and Vigor wherewith the Judges, Justices and Civil Officers will hereafter discharge their respective duties, and the Support which it may be in my power to give them will restore Internal peace and good order, and leave nothing but the Common Enemy as the object of our Military Measures.


I recommend it to all Sheriffs and Coroners to Communicate the extracts referred to, to the Justices of their respective Counties as soon as may be to the End that they may take the necessary orders theron.


THOMBS BURKE‘


Governor.


Copies to be made out for the Several Sheriffs.


STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,


July 28th, 1781.


SIR : You will find inclosed an Extract from the proceedings in Coun- cil which require Some Arrangements in which your department is to be Instrumental.


You will be pleased to furnish me as soon as possible with Esti- mates of the Several requisites for carrying into Execution the Sev- eral Propositions in the Extract as far as they relate to your de- partment.


As the Lists of assessments is the rule by which Contributions are to be levied for forming the Magazines and procuring Waggons and Teams such list must be procured. They will certainly be found in the Clerk's offices and probably many of them will be found with the Auditors.


By the proposition which requires returns and daily entry from Commissioners who procure Supplies you will preceive that a Sys- tem will be set up for giving accurate Ideas of the Supplies pro- cured, and for checking abuses in expenditures. As those Com- missioners can only give returns up to the delivery of the Supplies to the Staff department it will be necessary that the Issuers in those departments continue the Entries and returns on the same plan. You will therefore be pleased to cause daily Entries to be


581


STATE RECORDS.


made of all receipts into your department from Commissioners or others, and of the Issues therefrom. Also to cause monthly returns of the same to be made to the Governor for the time being. THOS. BURKE,


Governor.


Copies to be made for the Quarter Master & Commissary General.


THOMAS OGDEN TO GOVERNOR BURKE.


NEWBERN, 29th July, 1781.


SIR :


Altho' I have not the honour of a Personal Acquaintance with your Excellency, yet from the knowledge I have of your general Character I am Induced to address you on behalf of Capt. Hinson, who at Present labours under a Particular Hardship. He was Cap- tured in the month of April by an American Privateer (having on board a load of Salt) and brought into Beaufort in this State-was libelled in the Court of Admiralty and acquitted by the Jury ; from this Sentence the Agent for the privater Appeal'd to Congress, but conscious that the Appeal won'd not be supported, the Appellants never prosecuted at Congress, nevertheless the Owner, Capt. Hin- son, was under the necessity of sending on to Philadelphia in order to defend the decree of the Court of admiralty here in his favour.


The event has proved the Justice of the Bermudian cause, and by the Appeal never having been lodged, the decree of the Court of Ad- miralty for Port Beaufort stands confirmed.


But in the Issue of this Appeal, the Collector of this port Informs us that by a late Act of Assembly no Provisions can be Ship'd with- out essential license from your Excellency. Nevertheless he says that the Law gives an Indulgence where Salt, Arms & Ammuni- tion has been Imported. I therefore request your Excellency that Captain Hinson may be permitted to carry out of this Port the Value of his Cargo in Provisions, as the same has been Imported here under the General Laws of Congress and the Particular Laws of this State. I hope your Excellency will consider that Capt. Ilin- son is now lying at great Expence (to say nothing of the loss by de-


582


STATE RECORDS.


tention) and will readily render him relief by transmitting to me or to the Collector of Port Beaufort here, an order to Permitt him to take a load of Provisions equal to the Value of his Salt, which has heretofore been always Permitted. I beg leave to Offer your Ex- cellency a tender of my best Services in any thing that may be in my Power and am with Sentiments of Respect and Esteem,


Sir, Your Excellency's Most Obed. Hbl. Servt.,


THOMAS OGDEN.


Govr. Burke.


Capt. Hinson has shown this letter to Mr. Coor (the Naval Officer.) He says that your Excellency might perhaps restrict the Quantity of Pork & Corn to be Exported, say 40 or 50 Barrells of the former and about 150 Barrells of the Latter and that the Permit should specify the same.


Your Excellency will judge of this. I am with respect, &c.,


Yours, T. O.


STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,


July 29th, 1781.


Whereas by Act of Assembly passed in the last Session I am im- powered by and with the advice of the Council of State to procure Arms and other Warlike Necessaries for the Use of this State, and for that purpose to purchase, borrow, or if absolutely Necessary to Impress Tobacco or other exportable produce of this State and the Council of State have advised that the said powers be carried into Execution without delay.


Pursuant to the Promises I have appointed Colonel Robert Bur- ton of the County of Granville, Richard Buchanan, Esquire, of the County of Orange, John Atkinson, Esquire, of the County of Cas- well, William Brickle, Esquire, of the County of Franklin, . .


, Esquire, of the County of Warren, Henry Mont- ford, Esq., of the County of Halifax, Robert Bignall, Esqr., of the County of Edgecomb, , Esqr., of the County of Nash, , Esqur., of the County of Northamp-


583


STATE RECORDS.


ton, to purchase or borrow Tobacco from the Inhabitants of this State and I do hereby authorise and impower him the said to give to every person from whom he shall purchase Tobacco a Cer- tificate for the amount of the price which Shall be agreed on for the Quantity purchased, which Certificates Shall be free from Taxes and bear an interest of Six per cent per annum and be redeemable on or before the first day of December one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Three in Specie, or the Value thereof in the Currency of this State.


And where it shall be more agreeable to the owner to lend To- bacco the said . is hereby empowered and authorised to borrow the same and to pledge the Faith of this State pursuant to the Authority by the said act to me given, for the faithfully re- placing at a future day all Such Tobacco as he shall so borrow.


As I have great hopes that the good People of this State, Sen- sible of the Necessity for procuring arms and Warlike Necessaries for enabling them to oppose the Enemy and defend their Country from plunder and Conquest will willingly furnish to their Country all of this Necessary Commodity which they can possibly Spare, I Suspend for the present the power of Imprisonment and shall be extremely happy if the Supplies which can be procured by purchasing and borrowing shall make it entirely unnecessary for me to exercise a power which, tho' Justified by urgent public Ne- cessity is extremely disagreeable to me and which if I must exer- cise it will be with the greatest reluctance, but if a Sufficient Quan- tity cannot be purchased by the last of August I must have recourse to Impressment and if any should refuse to Sell or Lend, or will not Sell or Lend in proportion to their respective abilities I shall deem them the proper persons from whom to Impress.


PRIVATE INSTRUCTIONS.


You will endeavour by every means to induce the people to part with as much Tobacco as possible and having well informed your- self of the highest market price give Such price unless you find you can purchase it at a Cheaper rate. It is the best to induce the peo- ple to part with it by a generous price than to leave them dissatis- fied at furnishing the public.


Take Notes from all Such as have them in readiness, . 1 take


584


STATE RECORDS.


Engagements for the delivery on demand at some public Inspection for all Tobacco for which Notes are not delivered giving Certificates as well for the one as the other; in order to make the obligation Serve you may agree to a Stipulation for a reasonable time of No- tice before demand.


You are to keep a day book in which you will enter Tobacco Ac- count Dr. to the Several persons from whom you shall buy or bor- row, and in your Entries distinguish the purchase from the loan. To this Book make two marginal Lines, in which you will insert the Numbers of the Certificates, opposite the Entry, and you will give distinct Certificates for purchases and loans, beginning each Species with No. 1, and proceeding by Squaring each figure as you advance and deducting from the Square the Actual Number of Cer- tificates you have Issued thus : 1st, 2d, 3rd, 4th.


1, 2, 6, 12, &c.


Make very particular Enquiry and obtain the best information you can of the Quantity of Tobacco each man has on hand and usually makes, and keep a private book in which this is to be en- tered. Make as much dispatch as possible and depend on my al- lowing you a liberal reward out of the Commodity itself in propor- tion to the Quantity you will procure.


The Clerk of the Council will extract the 1st, 2d, 3rd, 5th, 8th Sections of the propositions on Military Arrangements and make a Copy for each County in the State.


Also the 10th, 13th Sections under the Same head for the Quar- ter Master General.


And the 11th Section under the same head of which two Copies are to be made, Vizt : for the Quartmaster and Commissary Gen- eral.


Also the 1st, 2d, 3rd Sections of the propositions on Civil arrange- ments and make thereof a Copy for every County in the State.


And also one Copy of the 1st, 2d, for each Judge of the Superior Court and for the Attorney General.


THOS. BURKE, Governor.


585


STATE RECORDS.


MAJ. READING BLOUNT TO GENERAL SUMNER.


SALISBURY, July 29th, 1781.


SIR :


By Express from Col. Moore, Caswell County we are informed, that its thought in Virginia that the Enemy are about to embark for New York, occasioned by the arrival of a French Fleet at that place. A few days will determine their intentions. I am sorry to inform that there is no account of any of those parties yet, that was expected up when you left this ; In case any should come within any short time, it will be out of my power to have them equipped, unless you send me an order from General Greene for that purpose, as he has given Gamble orders not to issue cartridges nor any stores of any kind to any order but his own. But should troops come on before I get such an order I shall run all risks of taking of them if not to be had other ways.


I am Dear Sir, Yours,. READING BLOUNT.


GEN. JETHRO SUMNER TO GEN. LAFAYETTE.


CAMP 10 MILES HANGING ROCK, SOUTH CAROLINA. July 30th, 1781.


SIR :


I received yours of the 18th Instant the 28th by his Excellency Gov. Rutledge. My being thus far advanced on my rout to join General Greene puts it out of my power to make the necessary obstructions, to impede Lord Cornwallace's march. Should he make Southwardly, as otherwise might have been, however Governor Burke have taken such precautions (He writes me) to dispute his ready passage over Roanoke as will delay him some time. The ordering the Boats up the River Roanoke to facilitate transportation would be very injudicious. The arms you mention giving order for them coming immediately on, to arm the troops of this State will be very acceptible, as there is near three hundred soldiers now on their march to Salisbury with few or no arms.


I am Sir with respect and esteem yo. very Hum. Servt., JETHRO SUMNER.


---


---


586


STATE RECORDS.


CAPT. SAMUEL CHAPMAN TO GENERAL SUMNER.


SIR :


[Date and first two lines torn off. ]


be here in a few days since which I have never heard a word of him. I have this day sent an express to Hartford County to know if I am to expect him shortly or not, and whether there will be any more men sent from that quarter to this place. If there should not I shall endeavour to send what men I have by Lieut. Clarke, who I am informed is exchanged.


I have at this time between sixty and seventy men, all of which are fit for duty excepting four or five. Those sick men that were left with me are chiefly recovered. I wish I could say the same of myself. I still continue very unwell, and must request your per- mission to return to Newbern, (after I have sent these men on to Camp) either to superintend the military affairs of that district or to retire wholly from the service.


We have been alarmed here a few days past occasioned by the Enemies crossing on this side James River. A party of their Horse were within thirty miles of Taylor's ferry, on attempting to cross a swamp they were fired upon by a party of our men, on which they retreated with the loss of two officers killed said to be Captains one Qr. Mast. Sergeant and two Privates.


(Torn out)


were in that County, and were to be at the Court House last Mon- day. I am told that the Tories have taken Captain Ramsey and a number of the leading men in Chatham, and have carried them off. I have got all the public Stores in Waggons at this place and shall move them off in case of danger.


I am with great respect Sir,


Your Most Obedient humble servant, SAML. CHAPMAN, Capt.


587


STATE RECORDS.


I. BARNWELL TO GOVERNOR BURKE.


July 30th, 1781.


SIR :


I transmitted to your Excellency A few days ago A letter which I received from Major Butler & should have done myself the honor of writing by the same Opportunity, but flattered myself I should have had an opportunity of seeing you, but despairing of this now, I take the liberty of addressing your Excellency in behalf of myself & distres'd Companions, whose inclination leads to South Carolina, but without your friendly assistance will find it impracticable, as we have been despoiled by an injurious & ungenerous Enemy, of the only means of furnishing ourselves in A State we have not the pleasure of being acquainted.


General Caswell whose politeness will forward this acquaints us that A number of horse are to be furnish'd General Greene from this part of the Country. Should your Excellency think proper, we will esteem it A lasting Obligation, to entrust them (at least A sufficient number of them) to our Charge as far as the General's Camp. I have the honor of being with the greatest Respect Your Excellency's


Most obed. & most Humbl. Servt., I. BARNWELL.


R. MUNFORD TO GOVERNOR BURKE.


CEDAR HALL, Sunday, July 30th, 1781.


SIR :


Agreeable to a Resolve of Congress, I have procured a man to serve in the Continental Army During the war & have a Certificate from a Continental Officer for an Able Bodied Soldier. On my Being Drafted in the last Draft of the Militia I applyed to Collo. Benton who told me he could not Determine whether I was Exempted or not & Refered me to your Excellency.


I told Col. Benton that whenever the State was Invaded and the whole Militia ordered out then Every one having Procured a man


588


STATE RECORDS.


or not must turn out, but not liable to be Marchd. out of the County or State.


To your Excellency's Better Judgement I Beg Leave to Refer the matter. Beging pardon for Troubling your Excellency at this Busy time which nothing but my being a stranger in the State & wishing to be put Right Could Induce me to do. I have Chearfully paid my part when classed & am Still willing to do it as well as to Comply with all the Good Laws of the State. An Answer will be Esteemed as a Honor done


Your Excellency's Most obedt. Humble Servt.


R. MUNFORD.


HON. SAM. JOHNSTON TO GOVERNOR BURKE.


N. HAMPTON COUNTY, July 30th, 1781.


DEAR SIR :


Having no prospect of being relieved or supplyed with money for my expenses and my disorder, which abated a little on the first approach of warm weather, returning so as to render me of little use in Congress I left Philadelphia the 14th, for which I hope I shall be held excusable by this State. I have not had the favour of a line from you since that you wrote from Mr. Jones's a little before the approach of Ld. Cornwallis to Halifax. Mr. Sharpe waits to see about 1500 Stand of Arms with some fixed Ammunition in motion for this State. The Board of War had given us Assurance that this measure should have preference to any other that might arise and I hope before this some considerable part of them are on the Way.


General Washington's head Quarters were near King's Bridge. A Night Skirmish happen'd soon after he moved into that Quarter in which our Troops did not succeed but it was of small importance and our loss inconsiderable. It was said by the Secretary to the F. Embassy that the British Ministry had refused to admit of the Mediation of the Empress of Russia between Great Britain and the Dutch. The last authentick intelligence from the West Indies was dated the 13th of June, this mentions the taking Tobago by the French, a Rumour of an engagement between the two fleets said to


589


STATE RECORDS.


have happened on the 14th prevailed at Philadelphia & New York, the Event of which is variously reported. I wish I had something of more importance for your information my only motive for troubling you at this time is to acquaint you of my return and con- gratulate you on your appointment to the Government. . The Criti- cal Situation of Affairs at this time will call forth all your abilities & industry. I have not the smallest doubt but your Efforts will be such as will be usefull to the publick and honorable to yourself. I am hastening home to a distressed Family. I write to you in great haste and my Spirits greatly agitated by having just heard of the loss of my youngest son, as sweet a little fellow as ever was born.


I shall hope for the pleasure of hearing from you some times when you are at leisure and am with the most sincere regard and Esteem,


Sir, Your most obedient Servant, SAM. JOHNSTON.


July, 30th, 1781.


Recd. four hundred Dollars from the Governor for expences as an Express in bringing a Letter to him from General Greene.


JOHN SALMON. his x mark.


SIR :


I Sent to Harrisburg about two weeks past for Amunition. Re- ceiv'd Ten Pound of Powder But no Lead ; we Can't at the most make Over Two Rounds.


-


JAMES EMMET TO GOVERNOR BURKE.


CUMBERLAND, CAMP 10 MILES ABOVE X CREEK ON THE N. E. SIDE OF CAPE FEAR, 31 July, 1781.


SIR :


I have just time, by Col. Owins, to drop your Excellency a sketch of the unhappy situation of this County. On Sunday Even-


590


STATE RECORDS.


ing a Party, upwards of 100 Tories, Commanded by one Col. Ray, came to Sproules's, made him, with some others prisoners, and killed a certain Andrew Beard. Our Town was alarmed with this information about midnight. We then embodied all in our power, which was a number much too small to pursue ; we therefore re- treated to this side of the River, where we are endeavouring to collect our Men, but they appear so dispirited, that I fear our County will fall without your Excellency's timely assistance. It is current- ly reported here that the English are on their march to Duplin, and 4 or 500 Tories are embodied at MeFalls' Mill on Drowning Creek 35 Miles from X Creek. I wrote by Capt. Vernon, about ten days since, but have not heard of its getting to you. I have the honour to be, with due


respect Sir, Your Excellency's obedt. Servt., JAMES EMMET.


P. S. I must beg leave to observe that if we do not Garrison X Creek very soon, the Enemy will.


MAJOR READING BLOUNT TO GENERAL SUMNER


SALISBURY, August 1st, 1781.


SIR :


I have the pleasure to inform you that Captain Goodman arrived at this post on the twenty-eighth with about one hundred and twenty men, on the same day the arms arrived from Virginia which I shall take on to you unless ordered to the contrary. I shall be able to leave this in about five days and not sooner, many of the soldiers are barefooted and can't march without shoes. I have procured an order from the clothes General for as many shoes as will do them, by sending to Davidson's for them.


You should have been furnished with a general return of what men there is at this post, but Captain Goodman has not had time to make me one since he arrived. If you have any orders relative to the arms or the troops I should be happy to receive them as soon as possible.


1 am Sir Yours,


READING BLOUNT.


P. S. No stores.


591


STATE RECORDS.


LT. COL. H. MURFREE TO GENERAL SUMNER.


MURFREE'S LANDING, Ist August, 1781.


DR. GENERAL :


Lieutn. Andrews and Finny come on with a few drafts from the Counties of Bertie, Hertford and Gates. I have frequently applied for the-mens eloathing but can't get but very little, which I have not sent on.


I should have come on before this, but we are frequently alarmed expecting the enemy and plundering parties of tories among us, as I wrote you in my last, which I suppose did not reach you before you wrote me of the 17th July which I reed. and observed the con- tents. If you can grant me my request at that time for them reas- ons and some others that Lieut. Andrews or Finny will inform you, your favour shall ever be acknowledged. In the meantime if I can do anything in this part of the country to serve the Troops I will with pleasure do it. Please to favour me with a line as soon as convenient. I have wrote to Col. Long you request that the stores · you mention should be sent to camp immediately.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.