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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Thomas Clark to Richard Caswell
Clark, Thomas, 1741-1792
June 08, 1785
Volume 17, Pages 466-467

GEN. THOS. CLARK TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Point Repose, June 8th, 1785.

Sir:

A few days ago I received a Letter from Mr. Maurice Simmons, Merchant in Charleston, the Gentleman who so largely supplied our Officers with Clothing, &c., whilst prisoners at Haddrels, he says, “I was in hopes of seeing you in North Carolina 'ere this as I fully “intend going there to get payment for the supplies to the Officers “of your line when prisoners here, having been much distressed indeed in my affairs by advances made to officers of the different “States. But I find it impossible to leave this at present and God “only knows how I shall ever collect the money due me on the Officers' private accounts without the Governor and Council will consent to let them be settled with me and charge them to the different Officers, which will be discounted in the pay due them. Be so “good as to apply to the Govr. to know if this can be done. If the “Governor and Council will consent to it I will immediately go to “No. Carolina and get the whole business settled in the best manner I can. The Governor and Council of Virgina and Maryland “readily agreed to this mode of settlement.”

This Gentleman, Sir, I am convinced has suffered greatly by large supplies to the American Officers. The assembly has I believe

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ordered he should be paid the amount of his Account contracted with me for our Officers with interest, but Sir, there are several officers who obtained Credit from him on their own private accounts when prisoners which most certainly ought to be discharged with all possible expedition; the officers (I believe many) have it not in their power at present and the man is much distressed in his affairs. It is true he was to be paid a great price for his Goods, But not more than others at that time and the risque he ran was certainly very great. I will thank you, Sir to take the matter into consideration, and if any thing can be done with propriety be obliging enough to inform, Sir,

Your Excellency's Most obedient h'ble Servt.
T. CLARK.