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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Patrick Henry to Richard Caswell
Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799
November 21, 1786
Volume 18, Page 787

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GOV. PATRICK HENRY TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


Richmond, Nov. 21st, 1786.

Dear Sir:

David Ross, Esquire, informs me has petitioned your Assembly for a Grant of some Lands necessary for carrying on to a large extent some Iron works in your State. He tells me he intends to carry them on in a manner calculated to promote the general good as well as his own advantage. You are sensible how necessary it is to over awe the Indians and others, on the Mississippi & its waters; and for the Americans to have at their Command those Resources which serve to render us formidable. Iron castings will form a grand object, as will every Species of wrought Iron. From my long acquaintance with Mr. Ross, his great fortune and anxiety in these Iron works, I have not a doubt of his fully accomplishing the most sanguine Expectations on this subject. I think the most perfect reliance may be placed on his assurances, and in order to induce your Excellency to Countenance this undertaking, so essential to the interest of both Carolina and Virginia, as well as America in general, or at least its Western parts, I have given you the trouble of this. I beg leave to assure your Excellency of the high Regard and Esteem with which I am Sir,

Your most Obedient Servant,
P. HENRY.

Virginia was indebted to Mr. Ross alone, for the Excellent Cannons that were made here during the war of his Iron; and for large supplies of different kinds both for the Army and Navy.

P. H.