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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Thomas Burke to Joel Lewis
Burke, Thomas, ca. 1747-1783
March 17, 1782
Volume 16, Page 548

GOV. THOS. BURKE TO MAJOR LEWIS.

Halifax, March 17th, 1782.

Sir:

As Major Lewis has signified his willingness to serve on an Expedition which I have directed now to be undertaken, and as his presence with the State Troops, who are to Serve thereon is not necessary, he will be at Liberty to remain at Salisbury, and, while there, he will take the Command of such State Troops as are now there, and such as shall arrive there from the several Counties of the District. While Guards are necessary for the Prisoners and Public Stores, he will employ as many of the Troops as he shall deem Sufficient in those Services in order to ease the Militia at this Season so necessary for husbandry.

Such as he shall not deem necessary he will arm in the best manner he can, furnish them with a Sufficiency of Ammunition, and send them under the Conduct of a Careful Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer, as the service may require, to Join the Detachment of the Troops which will be with Major Hogg on the proposed Expedition. He will be so good as to require the Commanding Officers of the several Counties in the District of Salisbury to send on their draughts Immediately, and he will be very attentive to the discipline of the Troops, and particularly teaching them to obey Orders with punctuality and Alacrity. He will also be so good as to send me regular returns made up to the end of every week, and should he be disposed to leave Salisbury he will first give me Notice of his Intention and wait my answer. I recommend to him diligence and punctuality.

Am his obt. Servt.,
THOS. BURKE.