Sir:

There is, as I am informed, Ten or Twelve Deserters in Dover, in Craven or Jones County assembled, who, in the most daring manner, openly declare they will not serve in the character of soldiers, to which they have been appointed, either by their own voluntary act, or have been drafted, agreeable to the Laws of their Country, and bid defiance to the powers Civil and Military of the State. I think it therefore necessary that you pass the River Neuse, with such of your Regiment as are now encamped at Kingston, (except a guard to the prisoners which you are required to send to Smithfield, where those who have broke their parole are to be confined,) and proceed down into Craven or Jones County, to such place as you shall think proper, in order that you may with great facility dispatch detachments after the above-mentioned and other Deserters, and, having apprehended any of them, you are to keep them under guard until you report their names, what service they belong to and from what County, to me.

Given at Newington, the 25th day of August, 1779.