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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Jethro Sumner to Abner Nash
Sumner, Jethro, 1733?-1785
June 22, 1780
Volume 15, Pages 403-404

GENERAL SUNNER TO GOVERNOR NASH.

Warren County, 22 June, 1780.

Sir,

The distress of the officers of this State, prisoners in South Carolina, for clothing, particularly shirts, is, I am well informed, truly piteous. Gold or silver might immediately relieve this necessity, but this I doubt altho' so much adored by the miser, and coveted

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by all men, seems to have forsaken in disgust the adoration being aliens, but few render the United States their services.

However, I remember His Excellency, General Washington, at the White Marsh Camp, had leave from General Howe to send into Philadelphia a quantity of Flour, Beeff, &c., which was sold for the support of the officers, &c. ther; if such a method was now taken quirey if it would not be approved of, and the most ready means to get supplyed those brave officers and men in Charlestown. Maj. Murfree of the Second Regiment we have interceeded with to apply to your Excellency for moneys to pay of a number of officers and soldiers of the first, second and third Regiments now in this State, who have a considerable arrearage of pay due them, and the proper officers of this business, being prisoners, I know of no better a mode to ease the complaint of those present, and for his accounting, either to the several paymasters of the Regiments, or to the Deputy Paymaster General of the State for the same. I shall Sir as soon as I hear of Maj. Genl. De Calbs arriving in this State wait on him, as Chief Continental Officer in the Southward department and inform you.

I am with respect, the honor to be,
Yr. very Hum. Servt.,
JETHRO SUMNER.