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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Circular letter from Alexander Martin to the members of the North Carolina General Assembly
Martin, Alexander, 1740-1807
November 23, 1782
Volume 16, Page 463

GOV. ALEX. MARTIN TO MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

[Circular.]


Hillsborough, Nov. 23rd, 1782.

Sir:

The Assembly having failed to meet agreeable to their adjournment, by and with the advice of the Council of State, I request your attendance the first of January next at this place.

Pressed by Congress and the Financiers on the one hand for money to support the war, and General Greene on the other for provisions, who hath not had regular subsistence for the Army near thirty days past, I am under the necessity to alarm you of the Army’s disbanding unless supported by you. If the request of a Governor carries with it the disagreeable Idea of superiority and command, permit me to entreat you as a fellow Citizen, to whom you have at this Junction committed the management of your public affairs, to come forward, relieve him of his embarrassments and save the Honor of the State.

Let me not forfeit your Confidence by being compelled to wrest from you your provisions by the hand of violence, a measure obnoxious to you, to me, and every free mind. Let me walk with the Legislative aid, lest the road of Discretion be the road of Tyranny. A few days attendance may finish the Business.

I am Sir, &c.,
ALEX. MARTIN.