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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to John Hunt
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
June 14, 1785
Volume 17, Pages 469-470

GOV. CASWELL TO JOHN HUNT, ESQ.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


New Berne, 14th June, 1784.

Sir:

You will be pleased to apply to the Treasurer for payment of two hundred pounds for which you will herewith receive a Warrant; on obtaining the Money you will either exchange it for Cash (hard Money) or Tobacco at Petersburg, and apply the same to the purchase of paper, sufficient for printing the Laws and Journals of the last Session of the General Assembly, and to defray the expences of printing the same, at least so many Copies as are directed by Law to be printed in the neatest and best manner you possibly can, and with the greatest expedition. To this end I recommend your going immediately to Richmond, in Virginia, where 'tis probable this business may be the soonest effected. The great disadvantage we labour under for want of the Laws being printed is the inducement to this measure, and this only can justify the Laws being sent out of the State; but I must request that you by no means part with the original Acts, but that you make fair Copies and deliver the printer for him to work by. You will be pleased to keep a particular Account of your expenditures in the transacting of the Business to the end that the same may be laid before the Legislature who I have no doubt will make you ample satisfaction for the great trouble you will have in the same; on your return with the Laws and Journals printed send as many of them as you have opportunity to the different districts as are allotted for persons in those Districts, such as you can not send on please to forward to me by Express and acquaint me what number and to whom you have sent any. You will observe not to have any notice taken in the prints

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where this Business is done. Pray use all the dispatch you can, in which you will oblige your Country as well as Sir,

Your most Obedient Servant,
R. CASWELL.

P. S.—The original Bills on your return must be lodged in the Secretary's office.