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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to William Blount
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
June 07, 1786
Volume 18, Pages 646-647

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GOV. CASWELL TO HON. WM. BLOUNT.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Kingston, June 7th, 1786.

Dear Sir:

I expected before this to have the pleasure of hearing of your arrival at New York. I had the honor of being informed by Mr. Bloodworth that he and Doctor White had taken their Seats in Congress, the 2nd of May, and that the Indian Treaties had been received and entered on the Journals previous to that day, and that they tho't it prudent not to call the attention of Congress to the subject matter of them until you had taken a seat. This I thought right, as not any one there would give the same information as yourself. But altho' I have heard of your arrival at Philadelphia, I do not learn you have yet reached New York. Congress have been pleased to forward me copies of the Treaties, and have requested my attention to them, so far as relates to this State. But you know my sentiments respecting them, and until a ratification by Congress and also an assent of the Legislature, I must be excused from taking any official notice of them, at least this is my present opinion.

I wrote an hour ago to Mr. Bloodworth and informed him I had not any official business to communicate to the Delegates, but on speaking with the Comptroller, he requested I will remind you of the Commissioner's refusal to attend his office to do business. You know the number of vouchers in his possession is very great and very considerable as to value, that the Continental money and Auditors and other certificates in number are amazing, and some risk and expense will attend the removal, besides the inconvenience to the Comptroller whose family resides where his office is kept, and to the persons who may attend his office to do business, that he hath waited on the Commissioner at New Bern by his own appointment when no business, he said, could be done, for want of Books, that he daily expected them, when they arrived he would give him notice, since which near three months have elapsed and no notice received. Now my dear Sir, this business is so essential to the State, I must beg the Delegates will apply to Congress, the Board of Treasury, or wherever the power is lodged, to

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give directions to the Commissioner to attend at the Comptroller's public office, or where else they think proper to settle and adjust the accounts between this State and the United States. I wish it could be done here where all the vouchers are, and where any advice or assistance of me or the Council could with more ease be given than elsewhere, and without it I think, in some instances they will be at a loss. Pray if you obtain any directions in this business, let me know as speedily as possible. Some reports are propagated to your discredit respecting the disposition of the Indian Goods, 'tis said “you took care they should not be given to the Indians but reserved them to purchase Lands from the Indians, after the Treaty, for yourself and friends.” To minds unprejudiced, this would easily be gotten over, but I apprehend some design in it, as from Hillsborough and Salisbury Districts, it seems to have taken its rise. On enquiry I hear Col. W. Moore, late of Caswell, is the author given by persons of more consequence, but of this more at a future day, when things can be better investigated. I mention it now not to pain you but to apprise you.

With sincere esteem and regard,
I have the Honor to be Dear Sir,
Your most obedient and very humble Servt.,
R. CASWELL.