To the Honourable assembly of the State of north Carolina:
Gentlemen.

About fifteen days ago captain Cottineau came to this Town,² on purpose to represent to the governour of this State,³ that his fregate⁴ now lying in cape look out bay, was not in Security, and that she run'd the greatest risk of being Insulted by the Enemyes of america, which Look upon the french to be their owne, Because they assist this continent. Capt. De Cottineau observed to the governour that besides the protection he had Right to clame from this State, after the Services that his cargo which was Considerable Should prove to the State; (as much for the private wants as for those of the army) it Became the Dignity of the government to protect a Stranger upon the Coast as well as in the harbours, and to hinder the Ennemies from coming in this ports to Destroy, Burn or insult the Ships which ought to be in Safety in the Saids ports and harboures in regard to the Treatys of all the polised Nations. The Governour answered to the Said Captain that his just demands required Some measures, and Expences which he could not take upon himself to perform, But as the general assembly Should Set in a few days he thought that his demands could not Bear the Least difficulty been very usefull to the Whole Continent Specially to this State, for it is true that cape Look out fortifications could assure a retreat to all the continental vessels as well as to a great quantity of Strangers, that the ones as much as the others might find a good Shelter against the Winds and the Ennemies, this Bay been fortified should prove of a great advantage to this State being the only Safe harbour from Cape henry to cape fear where Strangers may go in without danger and almost without Pilots. 

Captain De Cottineau has proposed to furnish 80. men and his boats To build a fort at his owne Expences and to pay a part of the State charges on that purpose, even to put Some of the fregate's guns upon it 'till the assembly Should Send Some, and Monsieur Le Chevalier De Cambray officer of artillery who Came in this country on purpose to Serve under general Washington has taken the trouble of building the Said fort and Show'd to his Excellency the governour two different plans of the necessary fortifications. he had Besides calculated what Should be the amount of the Expences, and found it to be five thousand pounds, but the governour made always the Same answers and observations, and gave to Captain De Cottineau an order for the Commander of the militia at Beauford⁵ to give assistance in Case of attack from the ennemie. 

as the time was precious to Captain De Cottineau. M^r. Nash⁶ with Some more private gentlemen made a Subscription of £1200. pounds which was Sufficient for making Some Small augmentations only to the fort that I had already Begun for my owne Security which I Judged to be Enough to repulse a fregate. 

In consequence of these, I Bought Several tools, and went to Beauford where I Began to work with my Crew only, excepting Six countrymen. Therefore the fort is not done for want of good helping people. 

Here is a plan of the fort,⁷ together with Cape Lookout bay Which monsieur Le Chevalier De Cambray has drawned, I Believe that this Honourable Assembly will easily feel the importance of this New and usefull Settlement, and Consequently will order the Necessary improvements So as to enable him of not fearing any of the ennemies attacks; Monsieur Le Chevalier De Cambray intends (when he'll return here) to present Before this assembly a plan of his Ideas in that respect. he is a gentleman of good caracter and understanding, a brave officer of an Exellent good conduct And very willing to be usefull to this Continent which he has proved already by remaining about a months time upon the place Where is the fort⁸ at his owne Expences, he made a voyage here at Newbern which cost him above a hundred pounds having had the misfortune of Breaking a chair which was Lended to him,⁹ this Sum may be nothing for others, But proves to be very Considerable for to that officer who has no other property in this Country But the desire of been usefull. 

I must observe that I have Some true notions, that the Captain of the English man of war called the Emerauld, who gave me a chace from Cheasepeak bay together with an other fregate; flatters himself of destroying my fregate in any port of this Continent and I know that he is disposed to Come as Soon as the Weather will permit,¹⁰ I share with ye Gentlemen the insult of Such a discourse, But I can assure ye that the Emerauld and her partner Shall leave their Ribbs upon the Coast if they prove So bold as to attack the fort or my fregate. For those means I Expect that you'll be So kind as to allow a Strong guard to the fort; Then to the Satisfaction of abbating their Bravade we Shall have the pleasure of having two Ennemies Less. 

Whatever be your Designs, Gentlemen, give me leave to Represent to this Honourable assembly, that ye cannot refuse to Order that a guard Should Be Sent to the present fort with an American flag on purpose to protect Such a good harbour as Cape Look out Bay is. I think that 50. or 60 men Shall Be Sufficient together with 25. I could Send in Case of a near attack to Stand against 250. if the Ennemie was to land them there, I intend to build a Watch house or a Corps de guard to give necessary notice to the Country Militia. Then I shall Look upon the place to Be without any Risk, the men of war not Been able to approach. 

In Case you Should meet with Some Difficulties in regard of Sending proper Guns to the fort, I can afford to offer Six to this State of 4 pounders each, wich I Shall Leave here, they Cost to me 450 livres apiece in france with all their furnitures, you may Reimburce to me whatever you'll please, I can all the Same leave two Swivels with necessary Balls, they Serve Now to defend the fort's Ditch. 

I must observe that this fort Sufficient for Sometime Requires fifteen Days work with about 60. men to be perfectioned in its Capacity, with a Small Expence of one thousand pounds without Comprehending the house; Besides Monsieur Le Chevalier De Cambray who understands very well those matters Shall instruct you of all his performances. 

as the fort is not yet finished, I cannot give an account of the present Expences to the Subscribers, Because there was but a few Workmen of this Country, and that one pound of Tabacco that I allow per Day to every one of my Crew is for my owne account, therefore I do not think that the 1200 pounds are yet over.¹¹ 

I Beg Gentlemen that you would prove So kind as to protect and Send this letter to the Congress by wich I ask to be Intitled by Commission for Deffending the Landing at Cape Look out Bay¹²—— and as I may be in that Case from Day to day I hope you'll take all my justs demands into Consideration. 

Be persuaded that Besides the obligations I shall be under towards this Honourable assembly on this occasion, Nobody Desires more than my Self Success to the Continental arms, glory to the Congress and all the Chiefs, happiness to all the americans and prosperity to this State.