August 16th, 1782.
Sir:
I am favored with your Letter of the 14th ultimo respecting certain persons arriving in a Flag from Charles Town, in which you request my further order. Those persons who have heretofore taken the Oath of Allegiance to the State, and have revolted to the Enemy are not entitled to paroles, being subject to be tried by our Treason Laws, and no Flag can protect their criminality; but as the General Assembly have recommended to me to exchange certain of these
people guilty of Military officences only, and not of murder, house burning, robbery, and other atrocious Crimes, for such of our Captive Citizens with the Enemy, You will therefore please to inform such of these persons who come under the said description, and order that they return to Charles Town, and there negotiate for themselves exchanges for an equal number of our Captive Militia, which will be deemed in some sort a meritorious piece of Service, and entitle them on an application to some clemency from the State.You will send some carriages to Hillsborough where I shall order you 200 stand of Arms from Colonel Stephen Moore, who hath charge of the same, which you must be accountable for and which will remain with you as a deposit for the Militia of your District. Enclosed you have an order on Mr. Cooper for 150 of Powder (part of the Marquis of Bretigny’s Cargo). An Express rider is ordered to attend in your District.