Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Cornelius Harnett to William Wilkinson
Harnett, Cornelius, 1723-1781
November 13, 1777
Volume 11, Pages 801-802

WILLIAM WILKINSON ESQUIRE WILMINGTON NO. CAROLINA BY POST FROM CORN. HARNETT.


York Pennsyvania Nov. 13 1777

Dr. Sir,

As Our General Assembly are now sitting in New Bern I only trouble you with a Letter to Mrs. Harnett. As for News I inclose you only the Printed papers of which I sent you a Copy before, but lest they should not have come to yr hands I send Duplicates–Genl. Washington is to be reinforced from Genl. Gate's Victorious Army, they are hourly expected to arrive at head Quarters— On

-------------------- page 802 --------------------
the Other hand Genl. Howe we are informed is to be reinforced from N. York, as 30 transports have sailed from Sandy Hook which are expected at Philadelphia— We still keep with our little forts and fleet, the Command of the river, it is expected another grand Push is soon to be made by the Enemy against Red Bank &c. in that Quarter all our Garrisons have been lately very strongly reinforced & should this Grand Attack take place a severe conflict must ensue, we have every thing to hope from Our Brave Officers & men in that Quarter, & I think nothing to fear. We are informed the Inhabitants of the City begin to be greatly distressed for want of the necessaries of Life, some I pity Others perhaps deserve this Calamity—in a very short time it is hoped the Enemy will not bc able to procure any supplies for their Army either by land or water— Remember me to all my Friends, you know them perhaps better than I do.

Get your Vessels out of the river in time so as to make two Voyages during the winter, the risque is allowed to be in Winter only as one to three compared with a Summer's Voyage— But these matters I leave to you Gents concerned—submitting to their judgement whither at such times as these, trade should not be pursued with Vigour & dispatch, as well as War I am with real esteem, first of all telling that Jackey is alive and well.

Dr. Sir,
Your sincere friend & obedt Servt.
CORN. HARNETT.

Should you be over burthened with money, Mrs. Harnett's receipt I hope you will Conceive equal with my own, for any sum you choose to pay her on the Copartnership account—as to Continental Currency. I would as soon have the Currency of our own Country—I can buy a bottle of wine I believe in Wilmington cheaper for our Currency, than I can here for Congress Money whoever drinks Madeiria here pay 30s per Bottle—we have no press.