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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John Penn and Cornelius Harnett to Richard Caswell
Penn, John, 1740 or 1-1788; Harnett, Cornelius, 1723-1781
January 09, 1778
Volume 13, Pages 3-4

J. PENN AND CORNS HARNETT TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

York Town, Janry 9th, 1778.

Sir:

Col. Palfrey paymaster General this day informed us that Doctor Guyon paymaster to some North Carolina Battalion has returned home without settling his account and that our officers complain of his having failed to pay the men. We are also told that Doctor Guyon is about leaving North Carolina, and going to some of the Islands. We thought it our duty to give your Excellency this information, that should the report be true, you might be able to put a stop to Doctor Guyon's going off. It is said he has received very large sums of money. We hope there is no real foundation for a charge of so black a nature, but at any rate a proper inquiry should be made.

It gives us great concern that we have not received a single letter from your Excellency or from the General Assembly since their meeting, it is absolutely proper that some General officer should be appointed for our State to command the Troops from there. We were under difficulties and wrote to the Assembly desiring that we might be informed which of the Capts. should be promoted. Col. Martin has resigned. We should be glad to receive any commands that the Assembly may think proper to send us.

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We got the favor of Alex Gillon Esqr of So Carolina and Mr. Robinson, to take twelve copies of the articles of confederation, which they promised to send to you by express from Halifax, we hope they have come to hand long before this.

The President shall send all the Resolves of Congress himself to the different States, which is one reason of our not writing so often as we should.

General Washington's Army is about 23 miles from Philadelphia, in Huts near the Schuylkill as the most convenient place to prevent the Enemy from plundering the Country.

A few days ago a large Brig was blown ashore five miles below Wilmington, and taken by General Smallwood, it proved a valuable prize there being 7500 stand of arms, Baggage for the officers of 4 Regiments, and a quantity of wine and spirits, three other vessels are said to be drove on shore on the Jersey side, the Inhabitants are taking proper care of their cargoes.

We have the honor to be with great respect, your Excellency's mo. ob. hble Servts.
J. PENN,
CORNS. HARNETT.