Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Cornelius Harnett to the North Carolina Council of Safety
Harnett, Cornelius, 1723-1781
August 30, 1776
Volume 10, Pages 786-787

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
Letter from Cornelius Harnett to the Council of Safety.


Wilmington, August 30th, 1776.

Gentlemen,

The Letters in this Packet enclosed I received late last night, I came to Town early this morning in Order to send them to your

-------------------- page 787 --------------------
Honble Board by express, but meeting with Mr Grainger just setting off for the Council I imagined it would answer Very well to send them by him especially as he intends riding with great expedition. I made so free as to open them, nothing which ought to be kept secret has been mentioned to any person. Genl Moore has gone upon a Secret Expedition. He declares you shall have fighting for your money if the enemy can possibly be brought to any kind of action; he has taken 300 men with him, no person in Town can even conjecture where he is gone—I suppose to Attempt dislodging the Enemy from Bald Head, but am not certain. It has given me great Mortification to find that the So Carolina Troops under Colo Williamson have got the start of Genl Rutherford, surely he must have procured Packhorses long enough ago—For God's sake Gentlemen send him forward with all the Expedition in your Power, that our Countrymen may have a shair in subduing those Savages—Lead is wanted exceedingly in the Army. The requisition of Powder from So Carolina must be attended to—It is strange none is yet arrived from New Berne, for God's sake order it forward. I hope for the pleasure of seeing you all the Latter end of the next Month and have the Honor to be with great Regard Gentn

Your most Obed Servt
CORN. HARNETT.

If I have done wrong in Opening the enclosed Letters a hint will be sufficient for preventing the like in future.

Mr Mallett, a Commissary, sends by Mr Grainger his Accounts, as he tells me to convince the Council of the necessity of his being supplied with more money, in order to supply himself with Salt Provisions for the Troops—Your Militia & Army have suffered very much by being constantly supplied with fresh beef—The Council I think ought to make it a Point with the Commissaries to give the men Salt meat three or four times a week, this is a matter I think of the utmost Consequence to the health of our men. Every person here seems pleased with the destination of the Black Lawyer. The Advice of the Council to the inhabitants of the State relative to the ensuing Choice of Delegates is not yet got abroad Davis ought to be hurried. I wish Jammey Green would send me one.