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Sir:

I am favored with yours from Kingston, and am sorry I had not the leisure to see you before you returned. What you mentioned respecting the Captive negroes of this State in South Carolina hath my approbation, and inclosed you have the flag of truce for this purpose, but have left the blanks for you to fill up, as you shall think most proper. Should you think it most advisable to go by Land, application must be made to General Greene, or Governor Matthews.

As to Messrs. Brice and London, you will please to inform them, that however humane my sentiments in general have been for such Classes of our deluded Citizens who have been thro’ ignorance or fear induced to join the enemy, I cannot think so favorably of them as to prefer their cases to the General Assembly as they request, tho’ I once had a personal friendship for Mr. London. They must either submit to the laws of their injured Country, or immediately return in the Flag.

The Judges have issued their warrant against the late rioters of Bladen. If there should be any appearance that the next Superior Court will be disturbed in the Tryal of them, you will have a Body of Militia ready, under the command of some prudent officer, to aid

the Sheriff when necessary to support the Court. If our Courts are not supported (however unpopular their decisions may be) our boasted Liberty and Civil Government are at an end. Should application be made from Colonel Owen in Bladen for assistance to the Sheriff of that County in apprehending the rioters, you will order such as you think necessary from the district, for I am determined they shall be brought to trial; but I am almost satisfied there is sufficient in Bladen to support the judgment without other assistance, and your interposition.

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