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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Benjamin Hawkins to Thomas Burke
Hawkins, Benjamin, 1754-1816
November 06, 1780
Volume 15, Page 374

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BENJAMIN HAWKINS, ESQ., TO HON. THOMAS BURKE.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


Newbern, Nov. 6th, 1780.

Dear Sir:

In my letter of the 20th Ult., I wrote you, that in consequence of a letter recd. from Mr. Johnston, I sent the horses to Virginia, and directed the money to be paid to his order, and that I should come to this place and endeavour to procure a supply for you.

Two days past I sent Mr. Johnston 27,573 dollars, and have procured for you sixty one thousand and sixty three, as also a bill of Mr. Pollock on Virginia, for twenty five thousand dollars, which, he says, you would take. Mr. Pollock is so obliging as to carry you the money and bill, which, I hope, will come safe to hand. Part of the money is in Loan certificates, which, I suppose, you must part with on a Discount. The difficulty I have experienced in procuring this has been very great, tho' as the Northern Speculators begin to move Southerly, it is probable I may get the Remainder, which I will send up to you immediately.

If you can dispose of one or two hundred bushels of good Alum Salt, to be delivered at Wilmington, I pray you do it, and draw on me. We have one thousand bushels there. You will pardon me for troubling you in this matter. I wish I knew what assurance Mr. Bignall gave the Assembly when they drew on us to supply you. His present indisposition prevents his coming to see me. I shall be glad to hear from you. I have a few light articles for Mrs. Rutledge, which the Governor desired me to send to you with his Letter, begging your attention. The want of an opportunity prevents my sending them.

I am, with due respect, Dear Sir, Your Humble Servt.,
BENJAMIN HAWKINS.

It is reported that Count DeEstaing is arrived in Martinique with twenty two sail of the Line and twenty five thousand Troops. A privateer arrived here yesterday who saw several very large ships at anchor off Charleston Bar, firing signal guns. He took a man from the town who said they were supposed to be French and Spanish. He said that Cornwallis arrived in town Saturday week, without his army.