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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Alexander Martin to the North Carolina General Assembly
Martin, Alexander, 1740-1807
May 25, 1784
Volume 17, Page 68

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GOV. MARTIN TO THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Gentlemen:

When the Administration devolved on me, as Speaker of the Senate, I was importuned by the Officers of the North Carolina Continental line then in great distress in the Southern Army to procure for them cloathing and camp necessaries; with this information that unless they were soon relieved, they would not be able to keep the field. I made their case known in person to the merchants of Edenton District, where supplies of this nature were only to be had at that time in the State, who with a generosity equal to their patriotism contributed immediately to their relief, receiving no other satisfaction for their goods but the faith of the State then in low credit which was pledged to them for payment when its exigencies would permit. On my appointment to the Government these Gentlemen called my attention: I drew Warrants in their favor on the Treasury and the County Commissioners of that District to the amount of their accounts some of which I am informed are paid, and some remain unpaid. As the present money was particularly appropriated last year by the Legislature the Treasurers are not bound to answer the warrants of the preceding without your consent. I have to request that your honorable body will consider the cases of the Gentlemen not satisfied, and order such payment you think proper, for which the officers were to be accountable to the State.

ALEX. MARTIN.