Edward Rutledge Letter

Charles Town Jan'y 31:st 1780.  

My dear Sir  

I did myself the Pleasure of writing you a Line from Georgetown acquainting you with the Arrival of part of the British Fleet on the Southern Coast—There is every Reason to believe that their Land forces are very numerous indeed—By some it is said Clynton, by others it is said Cornwallis has the Command. Be it which it may, the Business will be very serious: they have both lost Reputation in this State, & we may expect that every Effort will be made to recover it— 

When the [Fate?] of a Country is to be decided in a single Campaign, it becomes a melancholy Consideration, & I hope will justify me in requesting that you will continue your Attention to us, by sending to our Aid if possible, the whole Number of Men that your Assembly voted—If in Addition to these, a Corps of Volunteers would come to our Assistance with Expedition, (for everything depends on Expedition) we should consider it as a most friendly Act indeed— 

I informed General Lincoln immediately on my Arrival of your having received his Letters, & that you would have no Objection to his applying to General Rutherford for such aid as he could afford—In Consequence of which he will write immediately to that Gentleman on the subject I wish he may arrive in Time—Major Clarkson who will deliver this Letter [?] of General Lincoln’s family, & will be able to inform you of our Real Situation—He will also tell you how shamefully we have been deserted by our [Ally’s?] naval Officers when we most required their Assistance— 

With every wish for your Happiness I am Dr Sir with great esteem  

your affectionate

Humbl Serv’t

Edwd. Rutledge