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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Joseph Hewes to Samuel Johnston
Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779
June 04, 1775
Volume 22, Pages 514-515

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JOSEPH HEWES TO SAM. JOHNSTON.


Philadelphia, 4th June, 1775.

Dear Sir:

I wrote to you a long letter by Captain Gillis, and would make this much longer if I were at liberty to mention the business taken up by the Congress, but that I advise you I could not do till the injunction of secrecy was taken off. They have much before them, & altho necessity urges that they should promptly determine matters they proceed very slowly. I wish to God that you were here, that I might advise with on some matters of great importance. You talked of coming this way early in the summer. God grant that you do it, & soon. I could say a thousand things to you in my chamber that I dare not put upon paper. I am exceedingly uneasy & so are my Colleagues. I do not think we are doing anything but what necessity will Justifie, but I fear we shall be obliged to promise for our Colony much more than it will perform, perhaps more than it is able to bear. When a country loses its trade, when its ports are all shut up and all exportation ceases, will there be virtue enough found in that country to bear heavy taxes with patience? Suppose a country under such circumstances was to raise an army, how is it to be paid? Suppose the exigencies of that country should demand one million sterling per annum, how is it to be raised? How made? how sunk? Perhaps I may be able to guess at it a year hence. It has been often proposed by some of our members out of doors to adjourn to Hartford or New Haven, in Connecticut, to be near the seat of action, but some of the Southern gentlemen have not yet given their consent, nor do I think they ever will. Hooper & myself are willing. I should be pleased with the change; it would afford me an opportunity of visiting the camps of the American Army near Boston, which I want much to see.

My compliments to Mr. Iredell and the ladies of his family.

I am, with much esteem, Dr. Sir,
Your very Hum. Serv.,
JOSEPH HEWES.

It will be absolutely necessary to have a provincial convention immediately after we return, and I think Mr. Harvey may appoint

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some day in August for their meeting. An express should be sent to every county with letters to some of the most popular men that are friendly to our cause, and great care should be taken to have as full representation as possible. Some matters will be laid before them that will require the utmost exertions of every friend to American Liberty amongst you.


4 June, 1775.