New Berne 20th May 1765
As the event of the duel fought in March last at Brunswick between Lieutenant Whitehurst and Alexander Simpson, Master, both of the Viper sloop of war, has appeared in your public papers, I shall only acquaint you of the escape of the latter, from confinement, after a coroner's inquest had brought in a verdict of wilfull murder against him; In consequence of which escape, I issued a proclamation offering a reward of £50 proclamation money to whoever should re-apprehend him, I have occasion to trouble you with this intelligence, as it is conjectured he has been conveyed into your province by the assistance of some small craft or boat Mr Simpson married some months ago, Miss Anne Pierson, Daughter of Mrs Ramsburg, whose husband keeps a tavern in Norfolk, Mrs Simpsons return to Virginia gives some reason to suspect he has gone to her relatives; the weak state of his health, and the dangerous condition of his wound strengthen this conjecture; as in this condition it is not probable, he should undertake a long voyage, If you, Sir, should receive any intelligence of Mr Simpson, I beg leave to
trouble you to communicate it to me; as I think justice demands further enquiry into a conduct so extraordinary, as Mr Simson's appears to have in this unhappy event.