The Petition of Dugall Campbell, of Cumberland County humbly sheweth:
That your Petitioner arrived in this Country in the Summer 1775, when it seemed to be the expectation and wish of every good man that a speedy reconciliation should take place between this Country and Great Britain; that in this belief your Petitioner left his native Country without bringing his property with him, thinking at that time that he could do it at any time he pleased. But the progress of the War, most unfortunately for him, has to this day, altogether put it out of his power, by which means he and his family have been reduced to distress.
He begs leave to inform your Excellency that John Rutherford, of Cape Fear, in Charlestown, sold him six negroes, which are now claimed by Mrs. Rutherford, widow of his brother Thomas, and that Lewis DeRosset, now also in Charlestown, owes him £300 Str. and further that your Petitioners property in Scotland and his expectation from his wife’s family in Ireland in consequence of his contract of marriage are to him very considerable. That there are, as he is informed, in Charlestown and with the British Army, several gentlemen who are well acquainted with him and the situation of his affairs and who would willingly purchase all his property and claims in the old Country and give him value for it in Charlestown
which would furnish him with the means of supporting himself and family in this Country where he wished to spend his days.May it, therefore, please your Excellency to grant your Petitioner a Flag to go to Charlestown to transact the business within set forth. And in case he is able to negotiate a transfer of his property in Britain, that your Excellency will grant him protection to bring from Charlestown to this State negroes or any other property he may get there in lieu of his property in Britain.
And your Petitioner shall ever pray and subscribe himself.
Most Obedt. & Obliged
Humble Servant,
Cross Creek, 28th March, 1782.