Sir:—

There is now in the County of Cumberland a set of Fellows that bid Defiance to the Civil Law, several horrid Murders and robberies having been committed there lately with impunity. It is dangerous for a Justice of Peace to issue a Warrant against one of these Villians; and no man will be so hardy as to attempt the Execution of it. I am in the Commission of peace for that County, and was lately called upon for a Warrant against a Man who had been guilty of Felony, but I could not find a Person in the County that would execute it. I do assure your Excellency that if some means is not fallen upon to support the Civil Law in that County, the peaceable Inhabitants must be under the necessity of removing themselves very speedily.

Letter from Robert Rowan, representing some disorders in Cumberland County, July 12th, 1781. Same day order taken.