New Bern, 22nd June 1778.
Dr. Sir:
Your much esteemed favour of yesterday date I rec'd. Your condescention in making an apology for not writing by Col. Lock is Very Obliging, and believe me Sir I do not attribute it to any unfriendly cause. I shall always think it an Honour to deserve your Excellency's remembrance, and receive your Letters with singular pleasure as from a sincere friend, whose long life and Happiness, I feel myself Very much Interested in. I should set but little Store by Life without friends of Integrity, not such as your Discription points at.
The Southern Post brought no Papers this Week nor have any Occurances happened Since my last. If any should happen worth notice I will communicate them. I have received nothing by Post for your Excellency this week. If any should come to my hands will forward them as soon as possible. I sent your Virginia papers by Mr. Caswell, and I inclose you a Baltimore paper in which it appears all the largest prizes in the State Lottery are drawn. I can't find any fortunate Numbers in the Tickets I sold except one which was sold to Ebenezer Fulgum (No. 37,074) 500 Dollars. Pray is it not necessary that some advice should be sent about our Intention, of continuing Our Numbers in the Second Class? I wish you would give your opinion upon that Matter, as it will be necessary to be in Time. I would advise you to go down to Coresound, See Capt. Tilman and his Fort, Drink some salt watter's which I think might be of service & remove the Compt. you mentioned. I will wait on you there if you will permit me.
My family are in Health and Mrs. Cogdell Joins in Respectful Compts to Mrs. Caswell, Miss Caswell, &c. I am Sir
Mr. Cobb had no paper this week.