HON'BLE WILLIAM BLOUNT, ESQ., TO GOV. CASWELL. DEAR SIR: (From Executive Letter Book.) NEW YORK, January 12th, 1787. Mr. Dowse arrived here last Night from Carolina and waited on me this morning, he said very little about the Tobacco, but I have heard that he purposes returning again, for what I do not know as no person has given me the least information or even intimation of what he has done or offered to do. I had only the favor of two Letters by him, one of John G. Blount of about ten lines which he told me in General Terms that there was a very great uproar as I would see by an enclosed proclamation, but I did not find the proclamation; and the other was from Winslow which did not contain much more and these are the only Letters I have received from any person at Fayetteville since the Session commenced. This I suppose will find you at Kinston a little more at leasure than you have been for some time past and you will infinitely oblige me by informing me in General Terms what the Assembly have done, and in particular with the Tobacco, for on this head I am daily Questioned by the Board of Treasury. As there has been no Congress I can give you no Congressional News, but I will tell you what Members are here, namely from Georgia, Col. Few; South Carolina, Pinkney, Bull, Huger, Parker & Kean; North Carolina, myself; Virginia, Mr. Grayson; Pennsylvania, Mr. Meredith & Mr. Irvine; New Jersey, Mr. Clark and Mr. Linman; New York, Mr. Laurence, Mr. Hering and Mr. Smith; Connecticut, Dr. Johnston; Massachusetts, Mr. King. Mr. Few daily expects Judge Walton or Major Purie; myself, Mr. Bloodworth or some other. Mr. Madison & others are Expected from Virginia. A Delegation is shortly expected from Maryland, Dr. Johnston expects Mr. Mitchell and Mr. King Mr. Dane. No Delegate is expected from the three other States in any short time, namely, Delaware, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, hence you can judge as well as any person here when we shall probably form a Congress. My expectation of a Colleague is founded upon the knowledge that I ought to have one and not upon any information that I have received from them for I have not Re ceived a single line from either of them. I am with unfeigned Esteem, Your Most Obedient Humble Servant, WM. BLOUNT. TO THE HONORABLE THE DELEGATES IN CONGRESS FOR THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. GENTLEMEN: (From Executive Letter Book.) NO. CAROLINA, January 15th, 1787. I have the honor to enclose herewith an Act of the Legislature of this State to bring to Condign punishment persons accused of fraudulent practices on the Treasury, &c. By the 13th Section of which you will be pleased to observe a duty is enjoined on you as well as myself. In conformity to that part relating to myself, Permit me to request you will use your utmost efforts to procure the Muster Rolls mentioned in the said Section, and transmit them to me in the speediest manner in your power; if the originals cannot be had, authenticated Copies will do. I have the Honor to be with the greatest regard and Esteem Gentlemen, Your most obed. very humble servant. RICHARD CASWELL. TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR RANDOLPH FROM GOVERNOR CASWELL. SIR: (From Executive Letter Book.) NO. CAROLINA, KINSTON, January 20th, '87. I take the Liberty of enclosing a Proclamation for apprehending one John Marshall for certain fraudulent practices on the Treasury of this State, and requesting you will be pleased to direct the same to be published in your State Gazette for four Weeks at least and in case of Marshall's being taken in the State of Virginia you will also be pleased to direct that he be forthwith sent to Halifax in this State. The expense attending this business shall be most Chearfully paid and your Friendly aid Gratefully Acknowledged, by Sir, Your most obedient and Very humble Servant, R. CASWELL. NOTE.-Similar letters were sent to the Governors of Georgia and South Caroli Your favor of the 20th Ultimo was handed me by Mr. B. Hawkins and am sorry to inform your Excellency that the provision made by the General Assembly will not enable me to proceed to New York, agreeable to your Request. Therefore you will please to Accept my Resignation of the Appointment as a Delegate. And am, Sir, with Great Respect, Most Obedient Servant, JOHN LIKLY TO WILLIAM BLOUNT AND BENJAMIN HAWKINS. (From Executive Letter Book.) WILMINGTON, NO. CAROLINA, 26th Jan'y, 1787. GENTLEMEN: I am informed that you have the disposal of the Tobacco belonging to the Public of No. Carolina and as I would incline to make a purchase of about 500 Hhds., which is said to be about the Quantity stored on this River, I thereby take the liberty of offering you three and one half Spanish Milled dollars per hundred pounds weight for any quantity of Tobacco under five hundred Hhds. of the Fayetteville Inspection, Crop 1785, the Tobacco to be delivered to me here reinspected and reweighed. I could wish it to be optional with me to pay either in Charleston, Richmond, Philadelphia or New York, but I mean that Payment shall be made for the whole in one Month from the Conclusion of the Bargain and before any part of the Tobacco leaves the Harbour. If this offer is approved of by you & Notified to me in the Course of the ensuing Month, it will be held as binding on me. Mr. Bloodworth is good enough to undertake to forward this Letter & it will be agreeable how soon you are pleased to favour me with your Determination. I have the honor to be with great respect, I did myself the Honor to write you from Fayetteville about the 7th or 8th Current, respecting your appointment as one of the Deputies to attend a Convention of Delegates for the purpose of revising the Federal Constitution at Philadelphia in May next. Believe me that it would give me much pleasure to be informed that this service is agreeable to you and that you mean to attend it, in that case I will forward you a Warrant on the Collector of Port Roanoke, to whom I have written in Consequence of a Resolve of the Assembly to Retain in his hands Monies for the purpose, for three months allowance this being Judged by Col. Martin and Mr. Spaight a sum necessary. But Sir, if it is not convenient for you to accept the appointment it will become my duty to appoint some other Gentlemen to fill the vacancy & of this the sooner I obtain notice the better as it will give me more time to inquire for a proper person and him greater time to prepare for the Journey, but this I sincerely wish you to save me from the disagreeableness of having to do. Be pleased to write me as soon as opportunity presents. I am Dear Sir, your most obedt. and Very humble Servant, R. CASWELL. GOV. CASWELL TO COL. W. R. DAVIE. SIR: (From Executive Letter Book.) KINSTON, January 27th, 1787. I had the honour of writing to you at Fayetteville about three weeks past on the subject of your appointment as one of the Deputies of this State to the proposed Convention at Philadelphia in May next for the purpose of revising the Federal Constitution. As it is my duty to supply the Gentlemen who go on the service with Warrants on the Collectors for their public allowance, the sooner it is done I persuade myself the greater will be the probability of their obtaining the money, so as to answer the design of the grant of the Assembly. It also is my duty in case of a vacancy to supply it by a new appointment, under these circumstances. Be pleased, Sir, to inform me as speedily as possible whether you accept the appointment of the Assembly in this particular, if you do I will forward a warrant on the Collector of Port Roanoke for three Months allowance, which seems to be the time supposed by Mr. Martin and Mr. Spaight to be necessary to be allowed for going to, attending the Convention and returning from thence, and in case of your declining the service, which I hope you will not, I may look for some other Gentleman in Time who may be prevailed on to engage in the business. Your answer by the Bearer, if Convenient will oblige, Sir, Your most Obedient and very humble Servant, R. CASWELL. |