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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Edward Rutledge to Richard Caswell
Rutledge, Edward, 1749-1800
January 31, 1780
Volume 15, Pages 331-332

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 Consideration, & I hope will justify me in requesting that you will continue

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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 Expedition (for everything depends on expedition) we should consider it a most friendly Act indeed. I informed General Lincoln immediately 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.