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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Archibald Maclaine to George Hooper
Maclaine, Archibald, 1728-1790
December 30, 1783
Volume 16, Pages 1000-1001

HON. A. MACLAINE TO GEORGE HOOPER.

30th December, 1783.

We have got the definitive treaty in a New Bern paper. It is in substance the same as the provisional articles, except the preamble and a 10th article relative to the ratification. Whether it will be sufficient to induce a belief, among some people that it is a treaty of friendship as well as of peace, I much question; though for that purpose

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the words are as express as I could wish; but it seems we cannot be upon friendly terms with Britain, unless we can trade with them as we please. Such are our politicians.

I have not had an opportunity to apply for Hannah, but will immediately make another trial. The papers of C. & Hooper are and shall be safe. I did not till this moment observe that my niece the mother of Mr. Winter, lives in Pennsylvania. She has been very undutiful, in neglecting her uncle so entirely that he never has heard of her. As to my other nephew if indeed he is a different one, which Brennan mentions, it seems he had directions, in case my brother and I were dead, to apply to another person of the same name up the river. Who can he be?

Do you want a young man in the store? Billy Grove, aged 19, R. Rowan’s stepson wants employment. He has not been regularly bred but he writes a pretty good hand, is ready & intelligent, good natured and active, & is indeed one of the most promising lads I know here. He has been accustomed to application and fatigue, & is not above his business. If you do not want him, can you find a place for him? If he should not be corrupted, I can safely recommend him.

Yrs.,
A. M.