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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John Whitaker to Richard Caswell
Whitaker, John
April 03, 1787
Volume 20, Pages 658-659

COLONEL J. WHITAKER TO GOVERNOR CASWELL.
(From Executive Letter Book.)

Halifax, 3rd April, 1787.

Dear Sir:

Your favor enclosing the Articles of Agreement for the disposal of the Public Tobacco, I Received. Likewise your Letter informing me of the arrival of Mr. Robert Stewart the Agent on the part of the Purchaser. I am Extremely Concerned that it has not been in my power to have any of the Tobacco Re-inspected. I was a few days ago at Rion’s and Lockhart’s warehouses near the mouth of Roanoke where the whole of the Tobacco purchased by me is stored, and it was out of my power to have any re-inspected, there being no proper Inspectors below as I could find. Endeavoured then to prevail on the Inspectors of Halifax, got the promise of but one. When below employed persons to erect poise post, &c., that as soon as I could get persons for Inspections it might be done as Expeditiously as possible; as far as could be discovered it appears entirely secure, I flatter myself that it will be effected in a very short time if the Tobacco

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is as good as I expect from its situation. If your Excellency will be pleased to advise me on this head shall be better able to Conduct myself as I am at a very Great loss at present and extremely anxious to have the Tobacco in Readiness. As there may not be detention of Vessels on my part permit me to suggest to your Excellency a hint which you will reject or improve as you may think proper. The County Court of Halifax sets next week, Should you think advisable that the inspectors might be appointed there I believe there might be persons of Credibility got to Attend. It strikes me from reading of the third Article of the agreement made by the Delegates of this State & the Purchaser that the Agent on the Part of the Purchaser Ought to be present when the Tobacco is Inspected. If so it is possible that we might agree on proper persons as Inspectors, as I intend to deliver the Tobacco in person & what ever may be advised me by your Excellency on this head shall be carried into effect with all possible dispatch,

By your Excellency’s Most Obedt. & very Humble Servt.,
J. WHITAKER.