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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Petition from John Dalrymple concerning his imprisonment, including cover letter from Charles Wyndham, Earl of Egremont
Egremont, Charles Wyndham, Earl of, 1710-1763
May 21, 1763
Volume 11, Pages 154-155

[B. P. R. O. Am: & W. Ind: Vol: 77.]
Circular Letter


Whitehall 21st May 1763.

Sir,

I send you inclosed a Petition of Cap: John Dalrymple Commander of Fort Johnston in North Carolina complaining of having been put under Arrest by Governor Dobbs and being still a close Prisoner in North Carolina under pretence of his having gone to England without His, the Governor's leave thō he had obtained that of the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in North America, I am therefore to desire that you will be pleased to make the necessary enquiry into the state of this matter and in case it shall appear to you that Capt Dalrymple's conduct has not been irregular you will take any measures you shall judge proper to obtain all due redress for him, and you will let me know for His Majesty's Information what you shall have done in this matter.

I am &c
EGREMONT.

-------------------- page 155 --------------------

To the King's most excellent Majesty.

The most humble Petition of John Dalrymple Esqre Captain and Commander of His Majesty's Fort Johnston in North Carolina.

Humbly sheweth,

That the Petitioner having served upwards of Thirty years as an Officer in your Majesty's Army was appointed Captain and Commander of Fort Johnston by General Bradock.

That some time after he obtained Leave from the Commander of your Majesty's Forces in America to return to England. And from your Majesty's most gracious favor had a new Commission for the said Fort dated Oct: 27th 1760.

That on the Petitioner's return to take the command he waited on Governor Dobbs who with many circumstances of severity put the Petitioner under Arrest and confined him in an open Barrack, with Centinels over him under pretence of his having gone to England without his leave althō he had superceded him before he went to England and appointed another in his place.

That your Petitioner still continues a close Prisoner the Governor refusing to release him except he will give it under his hand that he has been disobedient to order and broke the Articles of War.

Under these unhappy circumstances your Petitioner humbly throws himself at your Majesty's Feet begging your Majesty will be most graciously pleased to take his case into consideration and order such redress as your Majesty's sees meet

And the Petitioner shall ever pray