Sir:
About Twelve months agoe hearing that the Continental Officers, prisoners at Chas. Town, were in the utmost distress for want of necessary Supplys, Colo. Robert Monford and myself Signed a letter of Credit on behalf of Genl. Scott & others upon the faith of which they obtained Credit to the amt. of five or five hundred and fifty pounds Sterling. We being now Cald upon for payment Beg
leave to Suggest to your Excellency we have not the means nor can we Comply with that demand, unless permitted to Ship Tobacco for that purpose, under Cover of a Flag. We also beg leave to mention to your honor that the Genl. Assembly at their last sitting Granted leave to Capt. Harrison Macon to ship Tobacco to Defray a Debt by him Contracted there whilst he was a Prisoner. We presume you are better Acquainted than we are of Numberless Instances in which Tobacco has been Shipd to defray Debts Contracted for the supplies of our Officers & men Since they have been Confined at that place. We therefore trust & hope we shall be permitted as aforesd. to make the Remittance in the Manner proposed as it will Enable us to comply with that Obligation & cannot do Injury to Government. The Justice & propriety of this Measure we humbly Submit to your determination. We are with due Respect, yr. Excelcys. most Obt. hble servt.,
(On the back of this letter in Governor Burke's handwriting is this:)
Recd. July 26th, 1781. This must be rejected on the same principles with those on which the application from Mr. Mederis was rejected. Mr. Boyd will be so good as to answer it by a copy of that to Mr. Mederis.