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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Henry Young to John Alexander Lillington
Young, Henry
March 19, 1782
Volume 16, Pages 241-242

TO GEN. ALEX. LILLINGTON FROM HENRY YOUNG.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Wilmington, March 19th, 1782.

Dear General:

I received your of the 16th Instant and note the contents, and am very much surprised to find a complaint of such a nature lodged against any officer in this County, but imagine that it must be

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chiefly pointed at myself, which for want of Justice of the County, such articles were taken at my instance, but for no other motive, than to serve the public only and not my own or any other officers private ends.

The articles taken were entirely for the sick and were all lodged in the hands of the Commissary, who no doubt can give a proper account of them. It was impossible to be without them, which as Commanding officer induced me to have them pressed, which matters I shall have cleared up and forward to the General Assembly.

You will see by the general Returns I sent you a few days ago, the number of men in this County. Before the British came to this place our men were classed, and you will see how many are left. If you will give directions to have part of them drafted I will have it done immediately, as Captain Cutgraves will not go in less than ten days, but do not think that there are any men to spare out of this County.

I, a few days ago, ordered ten Light Horse on duty on purpose to have a watchful eye at the new Inlet to take up delinquents and send necessary Expresses. I shall advertise for those persons who have been plundered by the Western troops to render their affidavits which shall be forwarded as soon as possible.

I will wait on you in the beginning of next week. Mrs. Young’s and my compliments to the ladies, and am,

Dear Sir,
Yr. mo. Ob. St.,
HENRY YOUNG.