Letter to Joseph Hewes

This transcript includes historical language, attitudes, and descriptions that may be harmful or difficult to view. These materials are presented as part of the historical record and reflect the time in which they were created.  

To Joseph Hewes
Edenton 23 May 1775 

Dear Sir, 

This goes by Mr. Kelly, his stay has been very short in this place, and he has behaved very genteelly to me. I told him what was done indeed I gave him some assurances to the amount of £1500. Stg would soon be remitted from the West Indies, Ireland, the Brig's Freight, and some from Spain which I hope will be the case and hope you will corroborate the same.  

I lately rec'd a letter for you from Mr. Baily he says He has not re'd any money from Mr. Roach nor not even aline and he does not think your money will be safe. I hope you will be able to procure a vessel of about 12 or 15oo bb. Burthen to Load for London.  

The times here begin to be very troublesome and we want you amongst us to keep to keep us in order, they Tarr'd & feathered two poor Devils last week and sent them over to Tyrrel, this week they threaten to serve all my Country men the same way. Mr. Johnston, who is still up Roanoke and my self it seems are to be excepted, on condition we say nothing in favour of the rest. I can say nothing, if I did I should inflame them still more.  

I want them to act in such a manner as may be Justifiable in the eyes of the whole world, & have ever yet preserved some confidence and a little influence how long this may be the case is realy uncertain however that may be, no treatment I may receive from the Over heat of their zeal shall make me to desert a cause which I ever professed, and most sincerely had more at heart than life. I know the People may go too far and I am afraid they will, my Countrymen have acted very strangely, and some of them I dar say will, at least they say they will fight for the Libertys of America with their last breath but they will suffer any Death than be Tarr'd and feathered [missing word] my Dear Friend, you most confess is a very [missing word] and dangerous one, on any other Occasion, I would advise, and my advice would have some weight. 

This letter I hope you will keep to your self, I would not have made so free with any other soul alive.—They are going to play the Devil with McKnight Jo. Jones has a meeting this very day of the whole County at the Plank Bridge and he has invited all the masters & crews of several [Nco vessells?] to Attend they are enraged against him all over the Country, even in this Town we had difficulty to prevent a party from going down to Destroy him. The People realy have a most noble spirit if it could be keep't under proper regulation; the 10,000 troops said to be sending out to New york, would not even [all?] this young [illegible], what worke have they to encounter before they can reach us?  

We had the great misfortune last Sunday week to loose our worthy Friend Col. Harvey, a blood Vessill's breaking occasioned his Death—I have wrote up to Mr Johnston that he may be here to Advertise A Provincial Convention if such should be recommended by the Continental Congress—We have to add to our misfortunes a report that the negroes mean to take advantage of the times, which there is too much reason in some places to believe is the case, here we have not discovered any such intention, nevertheless we have keep'd up a guard of Eight men in the Town every night, in the Country, the same precaution is taking, every Watch has a Capt. and all are well armed this has being been keep'd up for about fourteen days nights—all our Friends are well, but I will relieve you and only Assure you I ever am [illegible] 

Your affectionate Hble Servt. 

Rob Smith