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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to Thomas Bland
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
June 27, 1778
Volume 13, Page 174

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GOV. CASWELL TO COL. THOS. BLAND.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Dobbs 27th June 1778.

Sir:

I had your favor of the 20th Instant, handed me this day by Capt. Medici, whom I would most willingly supply agreeable to your request, if it was in my power. But such are our Finances at present, that the sum necessary for him cannot by any means be advanced. We have lately been disappointed in receiving money from the Continental Treasury and I am much distressed thereby, having in full expectation of having it reimbursed, borrowed considerable sums for public use, on my own credit; such is the case, and if the public service is retarded in this instance, I wish it may prove the only one, occasioned by Congress failing to supply this State with the necessary sums required. I was empowered by the Assembly to draw on the Continental Treasury for 500,000 dollars, to defray the expense of raising and marching men from this State to complete our Continental Battalions. I did so and sent on for the money, the Messenger waited at York upwards of twenty days and then returned with 1-5 of the sum drawn for, which will not pay more than the bounty of 1000 Volunteers, when 2600 & odd were ordered to march, I ask pardon for troubling you with this state of the matter, but 'tis to show how deficient we are in the article of cash.

I am with great respect Sir,
Your most obedient servant
R. CASWELL.