Beaufort 29th June 1778
Sir,
Mr. [Dedrick] Gibble waits on your Excellency for what money can be spared me for making out for the several payments that I am appointed to, I have received a letter from Capt Wilson1 who informs me that he is much distressed for want of money—I am at a loss to know what sum may be necessary for him, it will take for the tender about £3100.2 I send by Mr. Gibble the warrant for £1000 for paying off the Independent Company— money is likewise wanting for the Fort at Lookout.3 The Cruisers are constantly hovering about our Coast, Gutteridge with a Brig, in company drove 2 vessels into a small Inlet against Hunting Quarters last week,4 we have accounts from Charles Town of 2 Augustine Privateers being carried in there the 20th. Inst— one of 12 the other 10 Guns, by a Ship belonging to the Massachusetts State of 18 guns.5 I am with due respect [&c.]
John Easton
LB, Nc-Ar, Executive Letter Book, p. 494. Addressed below close: “Govr Caswell—."
1. Capt. Willis Wilson of the Virginia Navy galley Caswell, which was stationed in Ocracoke Inlet. Caswell's expenses were being paid by North Carolina.
2. The tender was for Caswell.
3. On 1 December 1778, the North Carolina Executive Council voted £1,125 to pay off the garrison of Fort Hancock at Cape Lookout. NCSR 22: 943.
4. Capt. Bridger Goodrich of the Bermudian privateer sloop Hammond. According to a report in the North Carolina Gazette of 15 May, in NDAR 12: 361,, Goodrich was cruising off Ocracoke in company with the New York privateer sloop George and Elizabeth, Capt. Pendock Neal, commanding.
5. On this incident, see The Gazette, of the State of South-Carolina, 24 June, above.
