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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to François, Marquis de Barbé-Marbois
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
July 23, 1785
Volume 17, Page 488

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GOV. CASWELL TO MR. DE MARBOIS.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

North Carolina, Kinston,
23d July, 1785.

Sir:

I had the honor to receive your Letter of the 16th of April last, some time passed and would have done myself the pleasure of answering it before this had I been able to learn with certainty the steps which had been taken respecting the Debt due by this State to the Government of Martinique. This I was not capable of effecting until application was made to my predecessor in office who lives about two hundred miles from me. However I have at length learned that Warrants have been Granted on our Treasury in favor of Messrs. John Gray and Thomas Blount to enable them to purchase and remit of the produce of the Country to Philadelphia, but for a very inadequate sum, to discharge the Debt; the remainder I shall draw for and use every means in my power to prevail on the Gentlemen to remit to Philadelphia as speedily as possible sufficient of the produce to pay the Debt, but our Treasury I fear is in so low a state as not to afford immediate aid. Be this as it may the best that can be done by me shall be effected; I thank you Sir, for your Congratulation on my advancement to the Government of this State.

Permit me to congratulate you on the happiness his most Christian Majesty and all his subjects enjoy in the birth of a second Prince. This has been announced to me by our Minister for Foreign affairs and as it will afford singular pleasure to the Citizens of this State I have issued a proclamation notifying the same.

With great respect and Consideration,
I am Sir, your mo. obed. & very humble servant,
R. CASWELL.