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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Francis Marion to Thomas Burke
Marion, Francis, 1732-1795
April 13, 1782
Volume 16, Page 283

TO GOV. BURKE FROM GEN. FRANCIS MARION.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

St. Stephen’s Parish, 13th April, 1782.

Sir:

Governor Mathews has favored me with a Copy of your letter respecting the men of your State being harbored in the District of those men who are under a treaty of neutrality.

I have wrote to Major Gainey who commands these men. He promises to drive all the men of your State out of the neutral ground. Should he not perform his promise, I will readily co-operate with you in obliging him, and shall be very glad to know whenever your force march for that purpose that I may be on the Pee Dee at the same time and chastise those banditti for the infraction of the Treaty.

My motives for coming into the measure of granting them a neutrality were compulsory by my being always kept near the British Lines and not having time to subdue them.

Had I removed so far as that District, I should have laid open a considerable part of this Country which the Enemy would destroy.

I shall at all times readily co-operate with your force against these people whenever you give me notice.

I have the Honor to be,
Your Excellency’s
Obedient Servant,
FRANCIS MARION.