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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John London to Richard Caswell
London, John, 1747-1816
March 23, 1778
Volume 13, Page 70

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JOHN LONDON TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Sir:

I have already been so troublesome to you, and feel myself under such particular obligations to your Excellency for the indulgence I have received, that it is with concern I am obliged to add to the one, and to solicit the continuance of the other by beseeching your excellency to postpone laying my memorial before the General Assembly 'till the session in October next. The clemency that distinguishes your public conduct, and the time being specified in the confiscation law for the admission of citizens encourage me to hope your Excellency will grant my request.

Inconvenient and disagreeable as my situation may be, I shall willingly submit to it, rather than by a precipitate, act, hastily relinquish those friends and connections who have hitherto been the chief support of my fortunes. In this life; this alone, I am persuaded would be motive sufficient to influence a mind liberal as your own. I therefore beg leave to assure your Excellency in the most solemn manner, that I will not in any wise concern myself with any measure whatever, inimical to the liberty of America, and will strictly conform to any parole you may require of me, nor do I ask any enlargement of my present narrow limits, unless your Excellency shall be satisfied in your own mind, that I merit it.

I have taken the liberty to enclose a memorial in the room of the one presented to your Excellency at NewBern, altered only, to the intent of my present petition. I am with great respect, Sir, your Excellency's most obliged and most humble servant,

JOHN LONDON.

Wilmington 23d March 1778