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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Francis Clayton, William Williamson, and John Walker to Richard Caswell
Clayton, Francis; Williamson, William; Walker, John
November 23, 1778
Volume 13, Pages 296-297

FRANCIS CLAYTON & OTHERS TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


Wilmington Novr. 23d 1778.

Sir:

We do ourselves the honor to enclose to your Excellency two letters from George Carey, of the 13th & 17th Instant, by which you'l find he is an officer of his Britannic Majesty's Ship Ardent, and has arrived here in a Flag of Truce, pursuant to orders from Admiral Gambier, to distribute Copies of a Manifesto, signed by the British Commissioners, which we were in debate on his rejectment. The enclosed So. Carolina paper, came to our hand which

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occasioned the detention of the sloop & securing her people, until your Excellency's commands on the subject, may determine their further dispositions. The packet containing the Manifestos will be delivered by Capt. Dotruety.

We have to lament to your Excellency the want of concurrence of the Military in this affair, which will be evinced by the enclosed from Col. Ward, and crave your advice in any similar case. We have no Prison to secure the people of Sloop nor will the Inhabitants consent, but with the utmost difficulty to guard them. We have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient servants,

FRANCIS CLAYTON.
WM. WILLIAMSON.
JNO. WALKER.

Your Excellency will please look at the paragraph in the paper marked X.