Wilmington, June 6th, 1780.
Dear Sir:
I arrived here yesterday very early and discharged the draughton me. Col. Armand will march within a day or two to Cross Creek. Col. Washington is not in a condition to take the field; he is in want of rum, arms and horses, and the few horses he has are so poor that they are not fit for duty.
The Col. informed me that there were some arms, about 500 or more, with ammunition, left, and other necessary articles, on board some vessels in Waccamaw. We sent a waggon this day with a gard to bring some that were at another place; those above mentioned Col____of Bladen is directed to send boats down for. I am now dispatching an Express to the Col. to give him some necessary instructions. I have no power to do this, however, in
our present situation, it is just and political. I this day ordered out the quarter Master in search after waggons; he has returned without any. Could it not answer to send some person up the country from Newbern after waggons, and order a dozen down to drive those? We shall be able to secure all the property belonging to the public in this Town, with the assistance of those waggons. Knowing your manner & spirit of doing business, I have taken on myself to order that would tend to the public good, and, as I am on the spot, shall continue to do so until I leave it. The people in this place are not so much disaffected as I imagined. As soon as Genl. Lillington arrives I expect to be instrumental in impressing all the provisions in this town and what ever else may be of use to the army. I wish your Excellency would send me the law laying an embargo and the amendments. Nothing sure from the southward. There are a great number of cattle in this district, which we shall prepare to remove.Dear sir, Your obedt.