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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Robert Rowan to Richard Caswell
Rowan, Robert
April 20, 1786
Volume 18, Pages 597-598

ROBERT ROWAN TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOV. CASWELL RESPECTING TOBACCO.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Fayetteville, April 20th, 1786.

Sir:

By the Act of Assembly the Commissioners for purchasing Tobacco were to give your Excellency an Account of their proceedings every three Months. I have gone something over the time but it has been for want of an opportunity offering sooner. My success has not been so good as I at first expected, the Merchants having taken uncommon pains to cry down the intended emission of paper Currency by informing the planters they would not sell their Goods for it and that it would be no better than Blank paper, except for the purpose of paying Taxes. I have taken Inspector's Notes for One hundred and twenty-five hogsheads, and have engaged for One hundred and sixty-five to be delivered between now and the first of June; the badness of the roads leading to this place, with the

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Scarcity of Grain has prevented many planters from sending down their Tobacco, but as there is now plenty of grass I make no doubt of yet Getting the full Complement from this Year's Crops. I have promised to attend at Hillsborough two or three weeks where those who carried their Notes home have promised to meet me. I should be glad of your Excellency's directions, about sending the Tobacco to Wilmington, whether it would not be better sent while there is water, and a ware house engaged for the Reception of it, as it may be attended with considerable difficulty, Getting it down late in the Summer, should it prove a dry one, which is much to be apprehended. If the sale of the Tobacco, should be under the direction of your Excellency, the many Obligations you have already laid me under emboldens me to ask another which is to have the disposal of it. I would go to any place where it may be proper to send it, and would do the business on as reasonable terms as it could be done by any Other. I shall expect your Excellency's instructions by the return of Mr. Dyer, and have the honor to be,

With infinite respect Sir,
Your Excellency's most Obt. Servant,
ROBERT ROWAN.