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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to James Moore
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
March 13, 1777
Volume 11, Pages 424-426

GOV. CASWELL TO GEN. JA. MOORE.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Dobbs Co. 13th March 1777.

Dr. Sir:—

I had your letter of the 7th & 9th current, delivered me by the person who came express. This instant, a copy of the Resolve of Congress of which you did me the honor to enclose a copy also, I

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received by Mr. Hooper on his way home, which was the principal inducement to me to write to be informed of your route, as I formerly wrote you that I might call a Council so as to render you every assistance in our power on your march. Since which I wrote you by Mr. Harnett suggesting my apprehensions of your not being able to march so soon as the 15th by the delay of the Troops at Charles Town, but did not by any means conceive that there was the least probability of dealy from the quarters you mention.

It is possible that Mr. Treasurer Ashe, on Mr. Mallett's application to him, refused paying him currency, as I am convinced he has little or none in hand, but I am confident that he would not refuse him bills on the Continental Treasury. The Treasurer (Mr. Ashe) was furnished early in January with a copy of an ordinance impowering him to draw for $500,000, on the Treasury of the States; I wrote him soon after on the subject, and informed him that my warrant was sent on to the Treasury, requiring that money which was directed to be paid (by Congress) to my warrant, to be paid to the order of the Treasurers of this State. The warrant I expected would have gone by Mr. Blount, the Deputy paymaster General, who has since declined going, I have sent the warrant to Mr. Johnston, requesting him to forward it to the Treasury at Baltimore, lest any of our Treasurer's drafts shall be refused payment; but lest Mr. Ashe shall not have received the letter, I now write him and shall send another warrant, that no doubt I hope will after remain of getting bills at least, which will be answered the moment they are presented at the Treasury. If this does not answer I know of no other method to be pursued than that of sending immediately to the Congress, which I shall do upon your signifying that it is absolutely necessary.

I do not know of any arms at Edenton, but if you can find out in whose possession there are any belonging to the United States, or even to this State, I think the necessity of the cause will justify my giving an order for them, which I shall most certainly do, in favour of any person you may think proper to require them to be delivered to.

I again request you'l be pleased to let me know the time you'l set out, and what assistance you think may be in the power of the Governor and Council to give you on your march through this

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State. Every thing within the compass of my power you may rely on.

I am &c.
RICHARD CASWELL.
To General Ja. Moore.