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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Francis Brice to Richard Caswell
Brice, Francis
May 24, 1778
Volume 13, Pages 134-135

FRANCIS BRICE TO GOV. CASWELL.
From Executive Letter Book.

Wilmington May 24th 1778.

Sir:

On the 7th Inst. I shipp'd Ninety Barrels of the public Pork, on board of a small Sloop (of which I was part owner) for the South Quay, and had fortune smiled on this first Trip, I intended to have sent her a second time had I not got another vessel before her return, but my intention is set aside, as Goodrich has laid hands on her, I sent her to New York, by which the public as well as myself, will be considerable loosers. Without further orders from your Excellency, I don't think it will be prudent in me to ship any more, as we are well assured three small privateers are constantly cruisiug off Beaufort and the risk now undoubtedly be great.

Mr. Toomer on his return from New Bern presented me an account amounting to £430, for salt for repacking the Pork, since it was removed from Town, which account the Committee informed him I must pay, but as I had only £640-16 shillings in my hands to enable me to send the Pork to the South Quay. I shall be inconveniently in advance should I pay Mr. Toomer's account, and as I

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have already experienced the inconvenience of advancing money for the public and the difficulty of having it refunded, I must decline advancing any more cash on account of the Public.

I am your Excellency's very ob. Servt,
FRANCIS BRICE.