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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Robert Rowan to Richard Caswell
Rowan, Robert
July 03, 1786
Volume 18, Page 672

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ROBERT ROWAN TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOV. CASWELL RESPECTING TOBACCO.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Fayetteville, July 3rd, 1786.

Sir:

Opportunities so seldom offer from here to Kingston, that I have been under the Necessity of sending the Bearer purposely to acquaint your Excellency of my having purchased my complement of Tobacco, but the uncommon scarcity of Grain in the back part of the Country has prevented the whole of it being yet brought down.

The unhappy fire at Wilmington destroyed so many ware houses that storage for the Tobacco was not to be procured on any Terms, otherwise the principal part of it would have been there before now.

Mr. Jewkes flatters me with the hopes of having a large one enclosed by the 20th Inst. fit to receive the whole, which by that time I make no doubt will all be arrived at this place. I shall lose no time in getting it down, and if the water don't fail expect to have it all, about 520 or 30 Hhds. safely lodged in Wilmington early in the next month.

The principal part of the Tobacco purchased by me I think is of the first quality and will give reputation to this Inspection. Soon after my appointment, before I made any purchases, my first care was to have the old Inspectors removed, who had been guilty of many frauds, since which time I don't think a Hogshead was passed here that would not have passed at Petersburg. I suppose by this time Sir, you are acquainted with the determination of Congress respecting the Tobacco.

That your Excellency may long enjoy an uninterrupted state of good health is the sincere wish of one who has the honor of being,

With perfect respect and esteem, Sir,
Your most Obedient & very humble Servt.,
ROBERT ROWAN.