My dear friends
I leave this early tomorrow morning, I have been detained here all day writing, fishing for intelligence of Genl. Clinton's destination. What the inclosed conveys I think you may be depended upon. Therefore write all your friends to stand forth & to exert themselves. Pray press the matter on Mr. Thos. P [Jones?] urge him to call forth the back Country.
In the letters you write you need not mention my absence, tho you may if you think it necessary, I care not much about it ー You will subscribe my name to any Official letter you may send. I am affectionately yrs
[Enclosure]
My dear friends Upon my arrival here I found that the Mercury Man of War with General [Henry] Clinton on board, and a Transport under his convoy had come into this Harbour on Saturday last [February 2]. This occasioned much Speculation & till last evening their destination remained a secret. It is now confessed & it is generally believed, for my own part I have not the least doubt of the fact that Genl Clinton is on his way to North Carolina. The particulars as far as we have been able to obtain information of them are these, that 7 Regiments are to embark on the first day of December from Great Britain from thence to proceed to Hampton Road there to wait till Genl Clint.on joins them with the small body of troops which he carries with him from Boston, & When with the Advice of Govr Dunmore they have settled the plan of operations, they are to proceed to North Carolina to make an impression into that & the adjacent Colonies. Genl Clinton says that three Transports sailed with him from Boston having on board 200 light armed Troops, that they left him in a Snow Storm of[f] Sandy hook. His object in coming in here is probably to confer with Gov [William] Tryon & carry off what ordinence stores he can pillage from hence. We have just received information that the Men of War have dispatched their Barges to Turtle Bay to possess themselves of some Cannon Shot which are there, Genl [Charles] Lee sends a party to oppose them.
It will immediately occur to you that it is necessary that our Constituents should be informed of this new Maneuvre, that their best efforts may be exerted to defeat the purposes of it. When I consider the defenceless state of No Carolina arising from a want of Arms & Ammunition, the divided sentiments of the people, the effect it might have upon the Highlanders & Regulators if Governour [Josiah] Martin supported with a body of Troops should introduce himself amongst them, I am importunate that no stone should be left unturned to protect in that province the friends to the American Cause. I need say nothing to stimulate you to contribute every thing in your power I do not affect to dictate, I beg leave to hint to you that it will be prudent immediately to send off an Express to Edenton with the Intelligence I herewith afford you, & thereby to recommend to them to call as soon as may be the Provincial Congress to take such measures under their Sanction as may prevent the cause of America as far as [North] Carolina is concerned in support of it going to total destruction.
I leave to you whether it will not be prudent to assemble in Arms all the well affected part of the back Country, that they may [serve] to keep in order those of contrary sentiments and may be prepared to march at a moment's warning to any part of the Sea Coast of No Carolina or Virginia where the enemy may attempt to land, It will answer another good purpose as it will give them some little discipline before they are brought into action. I would not confine this to the back Country the Inhabitants on the Sea Coast must be put in the same readiness General Officers must be appointed, one Brigadier General for each district, a General & Lieutent Genl over the whole. I think it a matter of supreme importance that the River of Cape fear should be obstructed ー the Navigation also should be impeded at Newbern ー I leave to you the propriety & possibility of effecting it there & elsewhere ー Attention ought to be given to providing Cannon particularly Field pieces ー I wish the Gunpowder &c intended to go by the new Waggon were on the way ー In a Word I think every thing is now at stake with us, & unless the whole force of our province is called forth ー farewell to all our Struggles for freedom, We must be satisfied to sit down the Spectators of the Triumphs of our Enemies over our dearest rights & privileges, condemned to abject Slavery, as the reward of our success less virtue ー May Heaven avert it ー
In the letter to our Provincial Council I hope nothing will be omitted that may work upon their Reason, or affect their passions, You well know the avenues that lead to their Hearts, I am sure you will pursue them attentively. Seven Regiments 680 each with the accession of Tories is a very formidable force, it will require their best abilities to oppose it. A large Sum of Money must be had from the Congress our Treasury is exhausted, Our Wants upon this occasion will be great & urgent ー Pay subsistence Warlike Stores must be had ー must be answered with money.
By this Time the Troops from England are in Hampton Road, to morrow Genl Clinton sails from this, Not a moment ought to be lost in sending off your express ー a delay might involve our province in irremediable ruin ー I think it would be attended with beneficial consequences that one or more of the delegates of No Carolina were at home, I cannot take it upon me to Urge you or Mr Penn at this disagreeable Season to undertake a Journey home, sure I am Much benefit might arise from your presence the[re] & should one or both of you think such a measure necessary I will instantly return to Philadelphia to supply your places as far as I am capable, or will take that Service upon myself if you think proper to enjoin it.
It is necessary that the whole province of North Carolina be alarmed, therefore direct that your Expresses be published thro the whole of it, ー & by all means communicated to the Inhabitants of Mecklenb[urg]h County as soon as possible Adieu, I write this in such a hurry that I cannot answer for its inaccuracies, I have not time to go over it again. Pray forward the enclosed when you send your express. I am my dear friends [&c.]
Wm Hooper
Col. (Benjamin] Harrison says the Mercury mounts 26 Guns ー Clinton no doubt gets good information here as to our back County from Gov Tryon &c ー Write me if an Oppty offers to the Eastward suddenly ー Lord Stirli[n]gs Regt expected here every hour ー all in confusion ー I have a piti for [James] Duane, My love to him & God have mercy on his Tory City this in Secret Will it be necessary to say any thing of drawing home our Troops ー better I think to leave it to [the] discretion of the Provincial Council.
Pray urge the Council not to wait for the Provincial Congress before they proceed to take measures for their defence
