Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from John Alexander Lillington to Richard Caswell
Lillington, John Alexander, 1720s-1786
January 05, 1780
Volume 15, Pages 315-316

GENL. ALEX. LILLINGTON TO GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Head Quarters, Brunswick,
January 5th, 1780.

Sir:

I recd. your Excellency's letter by Col. Lowrey, and am sorry to find our public credit at so low an ebb that you have not been able to borrow money at least sufficient to pay the men their Bounty, as the Men, except what your Excellency paid, have been obliged to march without it, which you are sensible is a real injury to the service. As to the state of provisions and forage at Wilmington, there has been sufficient issued by Mr. Jewkes for all the men that have come through Wilmington, but am persuaded he must be soon considerable in advance; therefore must request the favor of your Excellency to grant him a Warrant on the Treasury

-------------------- page 316 --------------------
for what sum he may write you by my Express he may be in want of. He goes out with me my Commissary, but has deputed Mr. John London, who has undertaken the business, to furnish what Troops may March through Wilmington with provisions and forage; Mr. Jewkes tells me there is plenty on hand; which is left under the care of Mr. London for that purpose. As to Mr. James Bloodworth's purchases as District Contractor, I know nothing of; he has never rendered me any account, where the provisions, if any on hand, were to be had; therefore, had Mr. Jewkes stopt issuing, the service must have suffered considerably, as not one person this way would have advanced their money on accounts of the public, to have received payment when the Treasury thought proper to take up your Excellency's Warrant for that purpose.

Mr. Tillery, the Quarter Master's, two letters I recd. by Col. Lowrey. I am only waiting here for my baggage wagon. The Troops are now on their March, two days since to the Boundary; there I have ordered them to halt until I come up with them, when I shall make you a return of their numbers.

I remain, your Excellency's ob. huml. Serv't,
ALEX. LILLINGTON.