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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Peter Mallett to Richard Caswell
Mallett, Peter, 1744-1805
February 23, 1780
Volume 15, Pages 343-344

PETER MALLETT, ESQ., TO GOV. R. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Hillsborough, February 23rd, 1780.

Sir:

I have your Excellency's favor of the 12th Inst. before me, and also acknowledge the receipt of the warrants, amounting to £20,000, altho' I am apprehensive that a small part of that sum can be collected at present. I will undertake to supply the Troops as you mentioned, or at least to superintend and account and settle for all monies, but that I must have one person at Campbleton, another here, and another on Peedee, besides one person to issue; the three former, will be Mr. Porterfield, my Brother and Mr Tulloch. This, I think, will be the most regular way to do the business; but unless your Excellency can give me the strongest hopes of supplies of money, as occasion will require, I could wish not to meddle with the matter. At Campbleton is about 80 Bbls. Pork and about 140 to 160 Bbls. old Beef of public stores, besides what pork and Beef I have put up on my own account, which may be turned into the public stores, amounting to about 100 Bbls. As to flour and corn, I believe it will be very scarce in that quarter. It must be boated up the River to Hillsboro. I have from 60 to 80 Bbls. Beef and Pork, exceedingly good; 20 Bbls. flour, 100 Bbls. Corn. A plenty of the latter may be had by waggoning 25 to 30 miles. I should suppose that near the Chevanes, on the River, and on the Boundary line, if that is your Excellency's meaning, would be the place for an Encampment. At that place, or within six miles, are three Mills, and in the midst of a Corn Country, and where either water or land carriage is good. Corn last week was twenty dollars per bushel there. As for meat kind, I expect it will not be easy

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to come at; and whatever is done that way will require immediate payment, as most or all must be brought out of the South State. The Bearer hereof will return by way of Campbleton, and your orders to my Brother or Mr. Porterfield respecting Peedee stores will be immediately put into execution. I have accordingly advised them. In two weeks from this day I will be in Campbleton, and in case nothing is required before then I shall be present. In the meantime I have desired all the Corn and flour to be purchased in and about that place, altho' I have but little hopes without money; £20,000, even were it in cash, would not do much. The provisions of my own, already mentioned, would exceed that sum. Any sum you please to hand the bearer will come safe. If your Excellency is sure of money in a short time, and think it is absolutely necessary that these provisions should be laid in on Peedee without delay, I will either go or send over and purchase as far as my credit will extend. In that case a few small warrants may do, and your Excellency's orders to Justices and others to lend their assistance will strengthen my credit in the South State. As to Hay or fodder at either place, it is not to be had on any terms whatever.

I am your Excellency's mo. ob. humbl. Servt.,
P. MALLETT.