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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to James White
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
March 10, 1786
Volume 18, Pages 569-570

GOV. CASWELL TO HON. JAMES WHITE, ESQ.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Kingston, March 10th, 1786.

Sir:

As this State is not represented, nor even a member attending, nor do I learn any arrangement has been made by the Delegates, respecting the time of their attendance, it becomes my duty to endeavor to prevail upon a sufficient number of Delegates to attend. And it was the expectation of the General Assembly when they elected six gentlemen, that three should be in Congress one half the year, and the other three the remainder, and left it to themselves to fix the time; when that has not been done, it has been the rule for the first in nomination to go forward. Mr. Blount and Mr. Bloodworth signified their intention of going forward, so as to be at New-York the first of November last; they are yet in the State but intend setting out in a few days, I am told. Pray let me know when you intend to go on, and the time you mean to stay at Congress, that I may be on a certainty when to recommend it to some other gentlemen to supply your place. The Council is to meet here the 21st Instant, when it will be absolutely necessary for us to take some steps, respecting the important business of our representation in Congress. I shall expect by that time to receive positive information of the intention of other gentlemen who are Delegates as well as yourself.

I am authorized to say, that only seven States a few days passed were represented in Congress, and from several of them only two

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members; so that very little business could possibly be done, the most material requiring Nine States at least to transact the business.

These are the motives for my addressing you on this subject, and the inducement to my sending a particular Express.

I have the honor to be,
With great respect Sir,
Your mo. ob. humbl. Servt.,
R. CASWELL.