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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Josiah Martin to James Cotton
Martin, Josiah, 1737-1786
July 21, 1775
Volume 10, Page 119

[Reprinted from the American Archives. Vol. 3. P. 75.]
Letter from Governor Martin to Lieutenant Colonel James Cotton of Anson County.

Cruizer Sloop of War Cape Fear River,
July 21st, 1775.

Sir,

I have received your letter of the fifteenth instant by Mr Cunningham, and highly approve your proper and spirited Conduct, while I cannot sufficiently express my indignation and contempt of the proceedings of Captain General Spencer, and his unworthy Confederates. You and the other friends of Government, have only to stand your ground firmly, and unite against the seditious as they do against you, in firm assurance that you will be soon and effectually supported. I wait here to forward the purposes of the friends of Government, or I would have been among you. At a proper season you may depend I shall render myself among you, and in the meantime let nothing discourage you. The spirit of rebellion has lately received a most severe check in New England, and I have not the least doubt that all that Country is, by this time, entirely reduced by His Majesty's Army, which by my latest advices, was carrying on its operations with the utmost vigour.

Major Snead may be assured of my attention to all his wishes at a proper time.

I beg my compliments may be presented to Colonel McDonald, and am Sir, your most humble servant

JO. MARTIN.