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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Jethro Sumner to Hugh Williamson and William Blount
Sumner, Jethro, 1733?-1785
September 17, 1782
Volume 16, Pages 653-654

GEN. JETHRO SUMNER TO THE DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.

North Carolina, Sept. 17th, 1782.

Dear Sir:

I received your letter of the 27th and 28th of July a few days passed, and am thankful you mention to me that no Authentic Ratification has yet been forwarded to the War Office of the Arrangement of the Officers of the North Carolina line. My Instructions for making the Arrangements I received from General Greene, to whome I transmitted the Arrangements approv’d by resolve of the General Assembly, and who have Acknowledged the receipt of the inclosers by Lieut. Pasture.

I make no doubt but Genl. Greene was made acquainted of Lieut. Colonel Stewart’s complaint to the War Office of Lieut. Colo. Murfree and Dixon’s claime for the dates of their Commissions issuing. I have received no order of this matter, but suppose the Order issued from the War Office to Genl. Greene, and as soon as this supposition of an Error in the dates of the Appointment of Lieut. Colonel Murfree and Dixon is investigated, I shall do myself the Honor of transmitting you a Copy, and of such resignation and Deaths as have happened in the line since the Arrangement took place January, 1781, that those Gentlemen’s names who are entitled to arise may lay before Congress for their promotion.

I wish, Gentlemen, that such of the resolves of the Honble. Congress as Generally concerns the Army could be transmitted me; it would give satisfaction to know such regulations as are adopted, and no doubt prevent any supposed neglects which, Otherwise, would strictly be Observed if known.

I am desirous to mention to you the depreciated State of the Specie Certificates issued to the Officers and Soldiers for One Year’s Pay. Their expectations have much falen. Finding no supplies for the Camp could be negoceated for with these Specie bills, some of the Officers have, indeed, purchased of the confiscated property at four and five for one; the others, I believe, intend returning theirs next Genl. Assembly, Willing that no suggestions of a doubt of the funds should be suspected, received them. I really was apprehensive

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they would not answer the good intent, as at first intended.

I am satisfyed you are acquainted of many of the distresses we labour under for some Pay, When two, three and four years are due, not a Clothier that has a Yard of any thing, no Magazine of provisions, seldom any rations, Travelling expences, &c., &c., &c., takes more Money than we can command by any means consistant.

I have the Honor, Gentlemen, to assure you
That I am, with respect and Esteem,
Your mo. Ob. Servt.,
JETHRO SUMNER.
The Honble. the Delegates in
Congress, State No. Carolina.