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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Alexander Martin to William H. Vanhassett
Martin, Alexander, 1740-1807
May 1783
Volume 16, Pages 785-786

GOVERNOR MARTIN TO MR. WILLIAM H. VANHASSETT.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Hillsborough, May, 1783.

Sir:

Your letter enclosing a Memorial to the Assembly was handed me by Mr. Maclaine, which was presented agreeably to your request; a Copy of my Message and their resolution thereupon I return you by the same hand. With regard to myself I can assure you while I continue in the administration, with the highest pleasure I shall

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endeavour to give encouragement and render service to you and every respectable Subject of so good an Ally as the States General, in such Commercial improvements you or they shall attempt to make in this Country.

Here Sir, you will permit me from the duty of My Public Station, to suggest to you, that from a respectable Gentleman from Wilmington I am informed, you have entered into commercial connections with persons deemed unfriendly to this State; particularly with one against whom the General Assembly have directed the Attorney General to carry on a prosecution for high Treason. If this be true, your prudence will immediately discover the impropriety of such a connection. The General Assembly and the Executive Power of the State, cannot countenance persons of the above description, should the charges arise only from suspicion, until their acquittal be announced to the public, and even then the Government will be cautious in the disposal of favors to them or to their friends when the suspicion appeared to be well founded.

I am, Sir, &c.,
ALEX. MARTIN.