Kinston, May 31st, 1787.
Dear Sir:
Your two Letters of the 26th March and 4th May I have received, and I am sorry to inform you that Major Evans with the Troops raised on this side of the Mountains was at Richmond the 21st Current. Sundry of the officers appointed to that service have, I am informed by Major Evans, resigned & others have not been so alert and attentive as might have been expected, which has occasioned his delay; these misfortunes I hope will soon be removed by the appointment of other officers and thereby the Major will Compleat his force and proceed to the place he is directed to begin the Road.
The State of Matters in the Counties in Washington District is truly alarming, but I have flattering hopes from my pursuing the mode you recommended the minds of them people may yet be Conciliated.
I have addressed the Inhabitants of those Counties & stated matters in such a point of view that they must be obstinate indeed if they do not see the necessity of uniting, if for no defence, against their Common Enemy. Every account that I have received serve to justify an opinion that the Indians mean to carry on a General War with us and the reports appears very strongly to indicate they will be supported and supplied at least with Arms and ammunition by the subjects of some European powers; I hope the Cumberland settlement will be prepared agst. such an event, the murders committed there will surely induce the Inhabitants to be much on their guard & it will surely be the duty of the officers to recommend the closest attention to be paid to Military duty and to have every man capable of bearing Arms equipped, if possible, for the best defence.I have not learned from the Convention that they have formed, only the State of Virginia was represented the 13th Inst. and only Colo. Spaight of our Deputies was arrived at Philadelphia then. Govr. Martin & Colo. Davie are gone on, Mr. Jones has resigned and Dr. Williamson appointed in his stead & gone forward. Mr. Blount is appointed in my stead, he was to leave Congress early in May when his six months’ tour of duty would end and I have reason to believe he is before this attending the Convention.
I shall take pleasure in communicating to you any occurrences which I think may be of use or agreeable to you.
Your most Obedt. Servt.,