[Johnston Court-House] 22nd [December]
[Extract]
Our Governor has sailed for some time from Cape Fear it is thought for Charles Town he had some of the Council to meet on board the Cruizer the 20th but we have not yet heard of his return, he has by some means or other kept up a Communication with the Regulators to the Westward they are very Insolent in the County of Chatham no one will accept any command in the Militia the Committees below here have been too Remiss, This Council have Ordered that no personal Communication be had with Governor Martin or the Officers of the Men of War and any person in this Province on any pretext and that no letters be sent to him till they are inspected by some Committee this with the Defeat which some people of the same stamp have lately received in South Carolina added to Ld Dunmores Disgrace in Virginia we hope will damp their Spirits a little but I am not without apprehensions from that Quarter should they receive any considerable Encouragement or Assistance from Government.
I wrote you and Hooper not less than five Letters by different conveyances I am much afraid they [have] fallen into bad hands ー my last went by the way of New York by Lowther 2
1. Samuel Johnston Papers, Hayes Manuscripts, NCDAH. Continuation of December 21 letter.
2. See William Lowther's letter of December 22, 1775 for confirmation of Johnston's fears.