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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Andrew Armstrong to Thomas Burke
Armstrong, Andrew
September 03, 1781
Volume 22, Pages 590-591

ARMAND ARMSTRONG TO GOV. BURKE.


Hillsborough, Sept. 3rd, 1781.

Sir:

I had your furniture brought into Town in a most shattered Condition, your Trunks unlocked, your Desk and Bookcase very much Hurt your papers in a great measure loose; but I still hope nothing is

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lost, I have put them into the House where you intend living where they are very far from being secure there being no keys to the Doors; this induced me to consent that some officers might go into the House so that a sentinal may be kept at the Door. It was not with Cheerfulness that Mr. A—— let me have the House, as he says Mr. Tatum did not settle anything respecting the rent with him according to your promise.

A few days ago Mrs. Burke wrote to me to procure her some necessaries which could be done providing an agreeable Mode of Payment could be made and in my opinion this can only be done, by your laying in from the Public Stores some Salt, Rum, Sugar, Coffee, &c., if they are brought to hand by Public Waggons that Part of the Account is settled, but if Waggons are hired to bring them home let them be paid out of these very Articles the country being in much want of such Things as I have mentioned; anything that they have could be procured in exchange for them. And you observe that what I propose is neither more nor less than making the Public support you. In the meantime such exact accounts should be kept of all your Expences as to prevent reflections from those who might in future inspect them, and this could all be done without blending the character of the Governor with that of the Merchant. Should you differ from me in this and think that a more reputable Mode would be to have personal accounts opened against yourself and laid before the Public for future payment. I will venture to affirm if this Method is adopted your accts. of any kind will not be hard to discharge. At least they must be Masters of more address than I am that can procure any Articles by consent, when the payment is become either immediate or remotely from Public. You will be pleased to observe in all this I do not wish to consider you have any fortune of your Own, for the Purpose of laying out for the use of the Public.

I am Sir, with perfect respect, Your Very Humble Servt.,
ARMAND ARMSTRONG.

P. S. Some valuable articles of yours being so loose here I cannot consider myself at liberty to leave the Place unless you come. Should it be thought necessary that your Excellency should have a Commissary to attend your Person, Mr. Eustis should wish to have the Command.

To Go. Burke.