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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from William Tryon to William Cray
Tryon, William, 1729-1788
February 21, 1771
Volume 08, Page 693


Newbern 21st Febry 1771.

Colonel William Cray.

I have this evening received intelligence from Colonel Caswell that the Regulators had begun their march to Newbern, but hearing just as they had crossed Haw River by letter from Husbands that he was released, they turned back and dispersed on Saturday last. They had seventeen wagons in Company and by their own Report 2200 men, though an Express of Colonel Hinton's was inclined to think there were very few more than 300 men and those well armed with small Arms.

I think it would be prudent to keep your men in the expectation of marching until the issue of the Indictments against the Rioters is determined, for it is possible they may form a plan of coming down with the accused to protect them on their Tryals.