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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Alexander Elmsley to Samuel Johnston
Elmsley, Alexander, 1730-1797
July 27, 1771
Volume 09, Pages 12-13

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
Letter from Alexander Elmsly to Samuel Johnston, Esq.


London 27 July 1771

Dr Sir

I have not heard from you the Lord knows when I was afraid you might have been one of the Heros of the Hawfields and as an Obnoxious Character fallen a Sacrifice to the fury of the regulating patriots, But McCulloh tells me the Northern men hung an arse under pretence of want of money. Money 'tis true is the sinews of war, but I'm afraid, the true reason was something Else. The regulating Spirit had begun to make its appearance years ago amongst yourselves, and I should not have been much surprised if I had heard that your Battle had been fought on the Banks of Pasquotank River, instead of Allemans or Haw river or wherever else it has happened, for we know nothing of the matter here except what Jamie Parker has wrote us, and his Information he says he had at 5th or 6th Hand. But let that matter be as it will, this serves to acquaint you that Coll Lawrens has remitted £500 more for you Since my last advices, which is at your Command. When you draw

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however for any Considerable sum make your draught payable 3 days after sight, because I am, as at present, sometimes a resident in the Country and nobody but myself can draw on the Bank.

My Complts to your Family

I am Dr Sir
Your affecte friend
& hble Sert
A. ELMSLY.

Tell Mr Charleton that his Boy wrote him by a Lawyer who went out in Coll Taylows Vessel, under Cover to A Cox Baily.