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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to John Ashe
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
November 18, 1778
Volume 13, Pages 288-289

GOV. CASWELL TO GENL. JOHN ASHE.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


Kingston 18th November 1778.

Sir:

Your favor of the 16th I received. The Commissioners for stamping the money are returned from New Bern and have begun to print. The signers will begin their office this day. I have mentioned to them my wish to receive the money when signed for you. I have heard no objection, but believe it may be necessary for you to send me an order to them for that purpose, lest some one who may not now be present may think that necessary and you may depend on my doing every thing in my power to discharge such part of the duties of your Treasurer's office which can consistently be done by me.

A public wagon will be ordered on this day to receive your Baggage, and another to Wilmington for Stores, to be sent to Elizabeth Town. I do not think myself at liberty to raise an Artillery Company. Some Gentlemen dispute the authority for sending the Militia out of the State, and I find it very difficult to get horses even for the few carts and carriages necessary to be sent on from this District; I have therefore concluded not to send any of the field pieces.

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There are none of the Militia from the District of Edenton and Halifax yet arrived. How long it may be before they get here I know not, whether they come or not between this and Monday next. I think then to send on such of the regulars and Militia which may then be here. This will prevent my setting out for Elizabeth Town so soon as I expected when we last conversed on that subject. I promise myself the pleasure of seeing you there between the 25th and the last of the month. I have the honor to enclose you your commission as Major General, which I have no doubt you will have the honor to execute to the satisfaction of your country. Believe this to be the sincere wish of Dr Sir, your most obedient servant,

R. CASWELL.

P. S. A Gentleman from whom I received a line yesterday says that General Lincoln was at Williamsburg the 7th Inst. on his way to Charles Town, to take upon him the command of the Troops in the Southern department.

R. C.