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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Alexander Martin to Richard Caswell
Martin, Alexander, 1740-1807
July 27, 1787
Volume 20, Pages 753-754

TO GOV. CASWELL FROM ALEX. MARTIN,
(From Executive Letter Book.)


Philadelphia, July 27th, 1787.

Dear Sir:

You may think I have been remiss in making you Communications from the Federal Convention, which you had a right to expect from my engagements to you in my last Letter from Carolina. But when you are informed that the Members of that Body are under an Injunction of Secrecy till their Deliberations are moulded firm for the public Eye, You will readily I flatter myself, excuse me. This Caution was thought prudent, least unfavourable Representations might be made by imprudent printers of the many crude matters & things daily uttered & produced in this Body, which are unavoidable, & which in their unfinished state might make an undue impression on the too credulous and unthinking Mobility. How long before the business of Convention will be finished is very uncertain, perhaps not before September, if then. Believe me Sir, it is no small task to bring to a conclusion the great objects of a United Government viewed in different points by thirteen Independent Sovereignties; United America must have one general Interest to be a Nation, at the same time preserving the particular Interest of the Individual States. However Sir, as soon as I am at Liberty to make Communications Your Excellency shall have the earliest information.

The Delegates in Congress have no doubt informed you by this of an attempt in England to Counterfeit our paper Currency, the Newspapers

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herewith will perhaps give you more ample & full information on the Subject; Docr. Franklin just notified it to me.

I am dear Sir, with great Esteem and respect.
Your Excellency’s Most Obedt. humble Servt.,
ALEX. MARTIN.

The Deputies are under necessity to borrow Money for their expenses, their stay being longer than they Expected. They have already written Your Excellency on that Subject.

A. M.