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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Ellis to Cornelius Harnett
Ellis, Richard, fl. 1765-1790
August 07, 1776
Volume 10, Pages 728-729

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
Letter from Richard Ellis to North Carolina Council of Safety.

Abstract of a Letter from Peter Knight Esqr, dated Philadelphia, 15th July, 1776:

“Should you incline to have the Cannon &ca sold, could sell them now to a profit; expected you wd have said something about the sale of them, as you cannot get them to your place; but suppose you mean to have them ly at the risque of your Province till winter, and then perhaps send for them.”


New Bern, 7th Augst, 1776.

Dear Sir,

Above you have an abstract of a Letter from Mr Knight concerning Guns, Swivels, Ball &ca, &ca, ordered for the use of the Pennsylvania Farmer and paid for at least as far as 200 Dollars wd go which I remitted him in Bills, he never has advised me how much the whole of the articles ordered cost; I should be glad to have your Directions whether to order him to Dispose of them on acct of the province or not. We have at last got in the way of running Bullets, and this week will have as many as will do for the Brig. Mr Leech has been at the Man's works about 18 miles up Trent 3 Days ago, and says he saw him cast several, and after that Day he was in no Doubts but he wd run 100 or more a Day; the Brig goes down to morrow or next Day at farthest. This Day I purchased a small

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Sloop and not having procured either officers or men, beg you will send me an order to Mr Sitgraves to let me have (on Complying with the terms) one of the two Commissions he has in his possession as she will be ready to sail by the time Mr Neal returns—not a line to be got in Town, I refer you to the Bearer Mr Neal for news.

I am Sir yours and the Gentlemen of the Council's
>Most obt Humble Servant
RICHd ELLIS.