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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Alexander Martin to Robert R. Livingston
Martin, Alexander, 1740-1807
June 24, 1782
Volume 16, Pages 342-343

FROM GOV. MARTIN TO HON. ROBT. R. LIVINGSTON.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

North Carolina,
June 24th, 1782.

Sir:

Your letters of the 18th and 19th of February last, covering the Resolutions of Congress dated November 28th, January 25th and February 11th, I was favoured with in May last, which I did myself the honor of laying before the General Assembly. The important observations you are pleased to make relative to our affairs—our Friends—Allies—and enemies have their just weight, which the Legislature were very sensible of, accordingly; to be prepared for what ever measures the enemy may take, they have passed a Law to draft every twentieth man in the State to serve with the Continental Battalions eighteen months, as enlistments during the War cannot be obtained in this State so as to answer any General purpose.

I flatter myself we shall have a respectable Body of men soon in the field under Major General Greene. In August they are to rendezvous—one hundred Waggons for the Continental service, the State is also to furnish in lieu of two hundred men.

I have given directions that the Damages which the Inhabitants of this State have received from the British be ascertained as near as may be agreeably to your request.

The Records of our Secretary’s Office being scattered in different parts to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy during their incursions and marches through the State, have prevented me from procuring you Copies of the Papers you mention; but I have sent by Mr. Blount, the bearer, one of our Delegates, a Map or short sketch of the out-lines of the State, extending to the Westward as far as the Mississippi, the Boundary formed by the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which we conceive ourselves not absolutely bound by, having a previous right by the Charter of Charles the Second, which I

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shall shortly transmit to you to extend our Bounds from Sea to Sea; that is, from the Atlantic to the Western Ocean.

I have the Honor to be,
Yours, &c.,
ALEX. MARTIN.