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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Thomas Burke to Horatio Gates
Burke, Thomas, ca. 1747-1783
September 21, 1780
Volume 15, Page 779

GEN. BURKE TO GEN. GATES.


Tyaquin, Sept. 21st, 1780.

Sir:

I take the liberty of calling your attention to a practice which too commonly prevails in the Quarter Master's Department of the Army under your command, which has already caused much disgust and uneasiness, and, if continued, must expose the Inhabitants of this Country to rapine without remedy.

Waggons are sent under the conduct of the Corporals, or some such inferior officers, to collect forage without any previous request or even notice to the proprietor, as much is taken as the Conductor thinks proper, nor is the owner, even when he happens to know of it, in least consulted or regarded as to price or quantity. I admit that something like a certificate is given to the owner when he has the good or ill fortune to be present. I rather think it ill fortune for he then generally suffers insult as well as the loss of his property.

(Unfinished Letter.)