Fav. by Capt. Williams.

To His Excellency Abner Nash, Esq., Newbern.

May It Please Your Excellency:

By Capt. Williams you have the return of the volunteers and Drafted men in Obedience to your Orders. I should have sent them Earlier, but was asham'd, the number being so small that appear'd on the first day intended for their marching, & am sorry to find, after loosing so much time, that I am Necessitated to show the Tardiness of my Country.

Capt. Williams takes with him to Newbern his Brother, who I believe from his Experience will make a good Officer, intending if your Excellency thinks it Compatable, to have him Dubbed as his Substitute, his wife being in such a Situation it must be Disagreeable to leave her.