The Honorable Alexander Martin, Esquire, Governor, etc., etc.
Sir:
I have just received a letter from Messrs. Scheelbeeck and Marshal, of New Bern, acquainting me of the arrival of the Industry with some goods from Martinico, consigned to them by the Marquis De Bretigny, the Bearer has Letters for you. The Tobacco from Granville comes down very slow. I have only received six hhds. Tobacco
as yet, one of which is refused, said to be one of Mr. Penn’s and Mr. P. Hendersons writes me that he and Major Tatum never had more than 50,000 weight of borrowed Tobacco in their Hands, 23,000 of which they have delivered to Colonel Davie, so that Ballance (should it all pass Inspection) will not discharge the Debt due for Arms and Powder which I Purchased at New Bern. The Time of delivering the Tobacco is now out, and not one Hhd. yet sent down to Washington, Tho’ I have several Times written Col. Burton in the most pressing Manner on the Subject.
Letter from R. Bignall, Dec. 4th, 1781. 31st January, 1782.