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Gov. Rutledge to Gen. Marion October 24, 1781. Dear Sir: I mentioned Mr. Peter Sinclair's case to Gen. Greene. Exchanges between the two armies are now stopped, but (between ourselves) the General consents to your proposing, as without his knowledge, the exchange of any particular person whom you have or can get for Mr. Sinclair, and I hope you may, by this means, fall on some means of speedily relieving him. I have sent your letter which mentions Col. Maham's taking Oliver's horse, to Gen. Greene, and recommended his signifying to Horry and Mayham, that they are under your orders, and to acquaint you of that matter also. This will prevent all such and any other disputes with them in future, and make them serviceable. I have not heard from the General since, but I have no doubt that he will do this, as in a convention with him lately upon Horry's conduct, we agreed that he should. All the gentlemen of our council, arrived yesterday. No news from Virginia, but I imagine Col. Lee will be back in a week. By him I hope we shall have something important. I wish when you can get at the Commissions of the Peace, which I gave you, that you would send them to me, after writing in them the names of as many as you think fit for Magistrates. I want to have a list of the new Magistrates published, that people may know who they are, and that the old may forbear acting, many of them being very improper persons. Major Vanderhorst tells me that the second cask of wine, which you were so obliging as to give Col. Postell an order for, had been removed by Mr. Swinton. I wish you would have it sent to me, or if you will let me know where it may be got, and will enclose an order for it, when next you write, I will have it sent for. I am told that Putnam is coming up to me to endeavor to contract for several articles; however from the specimens I have had of him, I believe he is very extravagant, and am in great hopes we may get supplies on much better terms from others. But of that I shall soon judge. I have given Mr. Clay, who has gone to Newbern, powers and instructions to treat with the owners of the prizes lately carried into that port; also with Mr. James Nelson and others about supplies. I have also sent for Wayne to come up here. I expect to see him soon, as I am told he went to North Carolina to bring in some articles, with which he is daily expected at George Town. I sent Mr. Ravenel's mare to you by Antigu, the day before yesterday. I am told one McCoomber, in a cruising galley, is on our coast. I wish this man may not attempt to carry off negroes and commit such other outrages as Anthony and the like have done. I hope, however, you have issued orders, agreeably to my instructions to the militia officers in your district, on this subject. I wish you would send to me, per first opportunity, a discharge for one Thomas Ackin, of the second South Carolina Regiment of Continentals. He is unfit for duty, and I have promised a friend of his to procure him a discharge, in consideration of his rendering some important service to the State. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, J. RUTLEDGE P.S. Be pleased to have the proclamation herewith sent, circulated in your Brigade. Since writing the within, I have received yours of the 23d inst., and that which mentions the conduct of Horry's officers. With respect to impressing, I have wrote to the General requesting that he will consent to your proposing an exchange of as many of the privates taken by Capt. McCoomber, as will redeem your other men, besides Mr. Peter Sinclair, who are prisoners in the town, and I think he will. I shall inform you what he says, as soon as I see or hear from him. I have also sent to him your letter, concerning Col. Horry, and I have informed him that if I have any other complaint against Horry, I will revoke the press warrant and never give him another. Enclosed is a letter for Horry, which I request you will have forwarded, after you have read and sealed it. But I think the best way would be to send for Horry to you, and hear what he has to say for such conduct, and talk the matter fully over with him, and if he does not give you satisfactory assurances that he will not abuse the press warrant in future, I will immediately withdraw it. Be pleased to inform me, if you should send for him, what passes on the occasion. I find poor McCullough is in the Provost; however, it is impossible to help him. An offer of an exchange, as the enemy consider him one of their subjects, would injure instead of benefitting him. (No. 199 From Documentary History of the American Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 3, pp. 196-198) Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 3, p. 196 Date: 10/24/1781 |
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