Gentlemen:

Having wrote you some time past requesting your attendance in Council at Johnston Court House to-morrow, it becomes necessary that I inform you that the public business required a meeting of your Board at a shorter day, I accordingly summoned the Gentlemen who were most convenient and they attended at New Bern last week, where what business I had to lay before them was determined upon which together with my being somewhat indisposed prevents my going to Smithfield. I am Gentlemen your most obedient servant,