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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to Patrick Henry
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
January 28, 1778
Volume 13, Pages 15-16

GOV. CASWELL TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOV. HENRY.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Newbern 28th January 1778.
Sir:

Your favors of the 6th and 11th instant, were delivered me yesterday by Mr. Davenport, Col: Ayletts business in this Department, being such as to require his stay in Virginia, (of which I make no doubt he has advised you) has requested me to appoint an assistant to him in this State, which I shall most cheerfully do. He sent by Mr. Davenport 20,000, Dollars, the greater part of which, I have already laid out, and shall continue to do this very necessary business until I can get a proper person to discharge the duties of such an appointment, but as money will enable me to get the articles necessary with more ease, and convenience and with more content to the venders, I must request you will be pleased to recommend to Col: Aylett the sending a much larger sum so soon as he possibly can, by the time of the arrival I shall have a person properly qualified to receive it, in the mean time the business shall go on with all the assiduity and assistance I can give it. I thank you for the Copy of the Act of the Assembly your Excellency did me the honor to enclose. The General Assembly of this State is adjourned to the first Monday in April next. At their meeting I shall lay the same before them, in the mean time I shall use every means in my power to prevent the importation of provisions by laying an Embargo and take such steps as I hope will in some measure prevent the pernicious practice of those wretches among us who prefer a Temporary Satisfaction of Acquiring to the Salvation of their Country. It is the greatest happiness my heart is susceptible of, to render my country services under the most trying occasions, and give me leave to

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assure your Excellency it will be with the greatest pleasure that in concert with our sister State of Virginia or any of its inhabitants I shall render all the assistance in the matters you are pleased to recommend within the compass of my power and indeed in everything which may have the least tendency toward our grand object independence.

I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem and regard, Sir, your Excellency's mo. ob. servant,
RICHARD CASWELL.