Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to Abner Nash
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
March 11, 1786
Volume 18, Pages 570-571

GOV. CASWELL TO ABNER NASH, ESQ.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Kingston, March 11th, 1786.

Dear Sir:

I was honored with your favor of the 24th Ulto. by Mr. Smith, and am very glad to hear you intend being in Congress the first of November. We are yet without a single Delegate there for the current year, and I am authorized to say only seven States were represented in Congress, but a few days past, and three of these by only two Members each. So that on a division of one State or the absence of one of those Gentlemen from a State, represented by two only, a stagnation of business of course takes place. And the most material business, which requires the assent of nine States, is totally at a stand. From hence you will be able to form an opinion of the dissatisfaction and uneasiness as well of the attending members, as other persons, waiting on Congress to have business done.

Your application Sir, for the whole amount of one year's salary, to commence the first of November next, I confess appears to me rather early, especially when I consider that the Gentlemen who have engaged to go on, for the present year, have received only warrants for four months' service each, it will therefore appear partial in me to grant warrants to you, to the amount you require. Your reasoning with respect to the remittance is good, but as I had the advice of the Council, on the sums for which warrants have been issued in favor of the other Delegates, I shall pursue the same method in respect to your request. I expect a meeting of that

-------------------- page 571 --------------------
Board in the course of ten days and their result on this business I will as soon as practicable communicate to you, and whatever remains for me to do shall be made as agreeable as I possibly can, with consistency to your wishes.

Herewith is enclosed a Commission to the Delegates in general for the next year. And also a copy of the Resolutions of the Legislature of Virginia for opening a Canal from Pasquotank to Elizabeth River, which is the best way I have of communicating the substance of the propositions of that Commonwealth. You probably might have heard in the course of last Assembly that such a measure was in agitation; and I recollect to have heard some of our Members observe that the proposed Canal, if carried out, would be a means of making our neighbors our Carriers, and giving them advantage of exporting our most valuable Produce, Tobacco, Pork, &c. However, this is only a hint Sir, it may not strike you in the same point of view.

With very great respect & esteem,
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and
Very humble Servant,
R. CASWELL.