Camp at Trenton, Aug. 14th 1777.
We the field officers of the North Carolina Troops present our respectful Compliments to the Delegates of that State now met in Congress, and beg leave to mention to them that a Report prevails in Camp, received from good authority, that by the Recommendation of Thomas Burke Esqr. one of those Delegates, the other two being absent, a certain Doctor Hand resident in Pennsylvania is appointed a Brigadier General for the Troops of North Carolina, in the room of General Moore, deceased, alledging at the same time that that State might think itself very happy in such an appointment.
The Merit of General Hand, for what we know, may be very great and justly entitle him to the Favour of Congress; but we believe him almost unknown to every Person in North Carolina, except to Doctor Burke:—and such partiality for a Countryman, as we are informed, in Preference to the Officers of the State he represented, whose prior claim to Preferment from their long and many services, we humbly think from Duty demand his support, we feel not only as a wound to ourselves; but consider it a reflection on that State, which appointed us, and a stab to Military honour throughout the Continent in General. But as this appointment has not been publickly announced for North Carolina; we therefore with all due respect pray that the Delegates of that State, who are the Representatives, and Guardians of every department of it in the Continental Council, will be pleased either singly or collectively to give us further Information on this Matter, that we may conduct ourselves accordingly.
Lieutenant Colo Patten the Bearer of this is authorized by us to wait on the Delegates & receive such Answer as they will please to honour him with.