Little River, February 5th, 1782.
Sir:
You will be so good as to permit all such persons as came in the Flag, to return to her again if they desire it, and to send an escort with such as have been Citizens and choose voluntarily to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the State, to Mr. Justice Ashe, Judge of the Superior Court, who will proceed with them agreeably to the Laws of the Land.
I wish not to give occasion for disagreeable discussion and therefore you will take care that the desire of such as submit themselves be clearly attested.
Mr. Gilmour cannot be admitted as a Citizen, coming as he does, under the sanction of the Flag, for it cannot be presumed that the Enemy would give a Flag to one of their subjects for such a purpose, unless for some end injurious to us, therefore he comes either as a Spy, or receiving him will be a fraud upon the Laws that relate to Flags.
You have acted with propriety and I thank you for your care and attention.
Your Obedt. Servt.,
P. S.—Such a stay may be permitted as to land anything they have brought with them. No act of authority must compel the Flag to take on board any persons or anything except her own Crew and passengers.