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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Josiah Martin to Samuel Johnston
Martin, Josiah, 1737-1786
October 07, 1775
Volume 11, Pages 256-257

[B. P. R. O. Am: & W. Ind: Vol: 222.]
(Order suspending Samuel Johnston as Naval Officer.)

In Gov: Martin's (No 8.) of 17th May 1777. (4.)

Cruizer Sloop of War in Cape Fear
River. October 7th 1775.

Sir,

Notwithstanding the respect I have entertained for your private character, notwithstanding my repugnance to oppose to its merits your conduct in public and political transactions during the present unnatural unhappy and much to be lamented contest between Great Britain and her Colonies which my long forbearance towards you must have evinced you have reduced me to the necessity I wished to have avoided by choosing between the two disagreeable alternatives of testifying my disapprobation of your conduct officially or taking upon myself the guilt of conniving at the undutifull behavior of one of the King's servants which last being utterly inconsistent with my ideas of the duty I owe His Majesty I cannot hesitate to make my election of the former however painfull my respect for Mr Johnston makes that decision.

-------------------- page 257 --------------------

I have seen with astonishment your late appearance in the conspicious character of Moderator of a popular Assembly unknown to the laws and Constitution of this Province and summoned and convened by yourself and I have seen with greater surprise if possible your acceptance of the appointment of Treasurer of the Northern District of this Colony unconstitutionally and contrary to all law and usuage conferred upon you by this Body of your own creation on whose other acts so derogatory to the just authority of the King and so utterly subversive of the Constitution of this country I shall not here enlarge although I do most sincerely and unceasingly deplore them. Your conduct in these instances Sir I am bound to consider such manifestations of your undutifullness to His Majesty and His Government and such an avowal of your participation in the present fatal disorders of this Country as render it altogether unfit and inconsistent with my duty to the King to permit you to continue Deputy Naval Officer of this Province and I am to inform you that I have accordingly appointed Mr Archibald Neilson to supersede you as Deputy Naval Officer of this Colony from which office you are hereby suspended until His Majesty's Royal Pleasure shall be known.

I am
Sir
your most humble servant
JO: MARTIN.
(A true Copy.)
JO: MARTIN.