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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and John Penn to the North Carolina Council of Safety
Hooper, William, 1742-1790; Hewes, Joseph, 1730-1779; Penn, John, 1740 or 1-1788
September 03, 1776
Volume 10, Pages 790-791

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
Letter from the North Carolina Delegates in the Continental Congress to the North Carolina Council of Safety.

Philadelphia, Septembor 3d, 1776.

Gentlemen,

The present truly critical state of the Continental Army at New York has induced Congress to enter into the Resolve which this is intended to convey. From the Newspapers, aided with the Information

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which you will receive from our friend Mr Heyward, you will learn that we have received a Check upon Long Island, our utmost exertions are immediately necessary to invigorate and give spirits to the Troops to the Eastward. As the fate of New York and all the Eastern Colonies in a great measure depends on our success in that quarter & as this must work very powerful effects upon the Continent at large, We are well assured that a measure which puts it in your power to add two Reg'ts to our forces at a time when you have no urgent occasion for them at home will meet your cordial approbation. Virginia is to march three Regiments with all possible expedition in addition to two which are now on the way & far advanced.

We suppose that you will advise the filling up of the Regiments which you send hither to their compleat number out of the other Regiments & immediately order out recruiting parties to supply the places of those whom you may draw from the other Regiments. A large bounty sufficient to induce men to prefer a Soldier's to any other occupation must be given. The Exigency is importunate. We must not be stopped by trifles.

If our Troops are to the Southward of North Carolina orders must immediately go for their return, & we doubt not every possible measure will be adopted to expedite their movements. Mr Hewes will be with you shortly, to him we refer you for further particulars & for the manner in which the Troops may be marched with the greatest ease & Expedition.

We are Gentlemen with great Respect,
Your obedt Humble Servants,
Wm HOOPER,
JOSEPH HEWES,
JOHN PENN.