Dear Sir:—
I have this evening received information that a considerable number of persons in the Counties of Orange, Guilford, and Chatham were some days ago assembling with a design, as they gave out, to go down to Cross Creek to take the salt that is stored there. But it is suggested they have other views. I am therefore to request you will get what information you can respecting this matter; and if you have any certain intelligence of their being on their march, in that case you are to raise so many of your militia as you can depend on for the purpose of opposing them in any illegal attempt that they make, and give me the earliest notice; at all events let me hear from you, with a particular account of their transactions so far as you shall be able to collect them with every
article of proof you can obtain by Thursday next at twelve o'clock, when I expect to be at the Court house of this County. This account you must send me by express, the expence whereof shall be paid by the public. Don't omit letting me hear from you by that time.