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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Thomas Wade to Richard Caswell
Wade, Thomas, 1720-1786
September 05, 1777
Volume 11, Page 607

-------------------- page 607 --------------------
THOS. WADE TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


Anson C't-House, 5th Sept., 1777.

Sir:—

About a fortnight ago Capt. Lewis Lowry, one of the Tory Captains sent from this State to the State of Virginia, and stationed with the other State-Prisoners, in Augusta County in Stauntown, where since last December they have been put on their parole, in that town, and as soon as I heard of the s'd Lowry's return without leave I issued a warrant and had him taken; and on examination he confessed his breaking his parole, and informed me that one Bradley, a prisoner from the same place, came with him to his plantation in Orange County, and that they concluded to come home on design to stay, if their country would let them. And the s'd Capt. Lowry offered to take the oath, but I told him I had no power to fix preliminaries on which he could stay any other than a prisoner, till sent back: on which he offered security for his good behaviour, and appearance at the next sitting of your Council, or the sitting of the Assembly of this State. And as he appears to have a desire to once more give his country satisfaction of his sincere return to his duty as a subject of this State, I thought proper to refer to your Honor the case of the s'd Lowry and shall keep him till I receive your instructions, which shall be punctually executed. There's also John Smith, a prisoner from the State of Pennsylvania, in this County under the s'd Lowry's circumstances, I hear, who was one of the Adjutants in the Tory army and sent from this State. I have not apprehended him yet, but I shall have it done, as he has escaped some time by telling he gave bail: but on apprehending Lowry he is alarmed, I understand. The bad state of health of myself and family have prevented it yet.

I am, Sir, Your humble Serv't.,
THOS. WADE.

N. B. If any news from the Northward, should esteem a favour to have a sketch, as it would satisfy our divided people, if good.

T. W.

I hope your Excellency will excuse this scrawl, as I am lying in a sick bed at this time.