“The tories are joining the British at Charlotte in large numbers. The enemy are building bush huts in Charlotte. I recommend that the forces intended for this quarter join without delay to oppose these invaders ere they penetrate the interior part of the State. I doubt not of opportunity, if the force now in sixty miles was collected, but something might result in our favour. There is great probability of the troops suffering from want of provisions. I have ordered a captain and forty men to take post at Monger's Ferry to cover any disaster that may happen to the force under Col. Davie. These men will fight. I could wish to lead them on. I wrote to you of Jarvis & Exum's regiments, of the old draft. They are very turbulent and complain of their time being out. They are not to be depended on; they will not fight, I verily believe. I have ordered a party of infantry up the river as high as Howell's ferry to collect intelligence of the tories in that quarter.”