Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Memorandum from Charles McLean to the North Carolina General Assembly concerning the actions of loyalists
McLean, Charles
February 06, 1779
Volume 14, Pages 261-262

-------------------- page 261 --------------------
COL. CHARLES McLEAN TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]

Tryon County, Crowders Mountain, February 6th, 1779.

To Your Honorable Body:

In pursuance to His Excellency, R. Caswell Commands To me, I send a Guard to Collect the Delinquants from our Last Two Drafts for Raising men for the Aid of South Carolina, but unexpectedly the men were Repulsed by a Superior Number of those out Lyen. To porsue my Duty I Strengthened the guard with the Number of Twenty Five men and Sent them off Again, But the News that is come to my hand this Day is that all Those persons that formerly Stood out are now embodying Themselves and Boast of their Great Numbers. This Day Timothy Riggs upon Oath declared that he, being abroad, was told by his Wife when he came home that During his absence there was to the number of one Hundred Tories well armed at his House, John Moore at the head of them, and Robbed him, the Said Riggs, of All his horses, Saddle and other things, taking two of his horses out of the plough. Likewise the said Riggs Saith upon Oath they Robbed Robert Mcman of his saddle and gun and other things. Another Deposition given In by Abraham Clark upon Oath Saith that Samuel Becker Staff told him, the Said Clark, that they were then three hundred Strong, and wanted him, the said Clark, to go with them, for at the Enroll they would be two thousand Strong. John Watterson upon his Oath Correspond Exactly with the Above mentioned. It is not yet known Whether they intend to make an attack there or whether they Intend to Join the English first, But Boast they will Be masters of the Country Soon. I am now with all posable Deligance Raising my Regiment, such as can Depend upon to Be arrayed as Light Horse to porsue through god's Assistance to Stop their Reviges and Disapoint them in strengthening the arms of our Enemy. I have sent to the Commanding officers of Rowan and

-------------------- page 262 --------------------
Mecklenburg County to Emediately call upon their Regiments and Come to my assistance if it may be thought Needful.

I in Cloase these to your Honourable Body for your Aprobation and further Instructions to me,

Your Humble Servant to Command,
CHARLES McLEAN.
To our Honourable Assembly Sitting at Halifax or to the Governor and Council.