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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to Patrick Henry
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
June 03, 1777
Volume 11, Pages 484-485

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

Newington, 3d June, 1777.

Sir:—

Your favor of the 23d ulto. I have received and rejoice to hear our affairs with the Cherokees are in a favorable train.

The Members of the General Assembly of this State, in their late session were so very desirous of getting home to their plantations at a season in which Planters in general have much to attend to, that they did not come to any resolution for appointing Commissioners to treat with the Cherokees, on so desirable a subject, at this juncture, as that of peace with that nation. It will therefore become a matter of consideration with the Council who are to assemble at New Bern the 10th instant. The members of that

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Board are so remote from each other, and from the place of their meeting, that it will be impossible to convene them sooner; and, I trust, they will on the matter's being properly represented to them, advise me to appoint proper persons to represent this State at the Treaty to be held at the Great Island, the 26th instant. If they do I shall lose no time in sending out Commissioners vested with powers competent to the completion of the purposes of their appointment. After much inquiry I have at length been informed that the goods sent by your State, or at least a part of them, were carried to Wilmington in the Southern part of this State, and there lodged with the Commissary of stores for the Continental army, who, after Col. Muhlenburg's return to Virginia, delivered out a part of them to the Continental Troops raised here, and that the remainder are still in his possession. I have directed him to make a return of what goods he has so delivered out, and what remains, that either this or the United States may become chargeable to yours for them. This return is be to made at the meeting of the Council, when I will do myself the pleasure of giving you further information on this as well as on the former subject.

I have the honor to be
with great regard and esteem, Sir,
Your most humble servant,
R. CASWELL.
His Excellency Patrick Henry Esq.
Gov'r. of Virginia.