To the Hon'ble the General Assembly of North Carolina:
The Important Appointment, of General of the Edenton Brigade of Militia, which, by the vote of the General Assembly, I some time Since Rec'd, Merits my Grateful acknowledgements, as it is an appointment as Honourable as important.
And, as my Experience in Military Matters is Very Small, my Continuing in that Office might, perhaps, be a Public Injury, as well as fatal to those whose Lives might in a Manner Depend on my Conduct. For these Reasons I take the Liberty at this Time of Resigning that appointment which I heretofore, with Reluctance, Accepted.