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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John McLean to Archibald Lytle
McLean, John
April 11, 1782
Volume 16, Page 591

JOHN McLEAN TO LT. COL. LYTLE.

Campbelton, April 11, 1782.

Sir:

I was favoured with your Letter of 7th February. I thank you for the kind sentiments you entertain with respect to me. I am extremely sensible that I shall stand in need of your good offices, & hope that the Governor, if he remembers me, will entertain no unfavourable dispositions towards me, at least I have been told so. What I have chiefly to request is, that you will be pleased to apply to his Excellency in my behalf, & crave his interposition to prevent if possible my total ruin. My trial comes on at Wilmington Superior Court, & I am afraid my enemies will take every advantage of me without your assistance. If I might be indulged to remain peaceably at home without trial & get up my bonds, or if the Governor & officers will petition the Judges in my favour, I flatter myself by that means I might obtain leave to become a citizen & be relieved from the distresses which threaten me. Or if my presence would be necessary at Hillsboro, upon your signifying the same I would repair thither to solicit the indulgence of those who wish to do something for me. Mr. Ica Aaitkins(?), our Senator and Messrs. Armstrong and Winslow, our Commoners, will vouch for my character if needfull. I beg pardon for giving you so much trouble, but doing good to the distressed gives pleasure to well disposed Men.

I am, with much regard Sir,
Your most obed. & Humble Servant,
JOHN McLEAN.
To Col. Archibald Lytle,
Hillsborough.