Lord Dunmore to General Howe

v4:357

On board the Dunmore, off Norfolk, Virginia, December 2, 1775.

DEAR GENERAL: The bearer of this, whose name is John Eustace, is the son of an unfortunate widow gentlewoman in this country. I have had the charge of him for these three years past, and have given him the best education this country could afford. He is a very good Latin scholar; of exceeding good spirit and quick parts; of excellent temper and good disposition; has conceived a great desire to go into the army. I have therefore to entreat you when an opportunity offers, to give him a commission, and I think he will do me no discredit, and you much service. If you are kind enough to employ him, I should be much obliged to you if you would recommend him to some prudent officer, who would take the trouble now and then to give him a little good advice; for the only fault I know in him (if fault it can be called in a boy) is that he is a little too volatile.

Pray spare us some troops, if you can possibly do it consistent with your orders; even the recruits of the Fourteenth Regiment would be of service to us. Those ordered from St˙ Augustine are not yet arrived, though hourly expected. Was the whole regiment here, I think we should be able to do some good. I have sent you a sloop with some Indian corn, oats, and a few Irish potatoes, all of which he told me (I mean Major Connolly) were much wanted. I could have sent you any quantity of oats, such as they are, if I could have got a larger vessel. I wish to God I had some of your Light-Horse here. This is a fine country for them to act in, and food of all kinds in great abundance, for both men and horses. A winter campaign would reduce, without the smallest doubt, the whole of this Southern Continent to a perfect state of obedience. One essential service it would render you, which is, that I could supply your army and navy with every necessary of life, and that in the greatest abundance, which is more than any other Colony on the Continent could do.

I ever am, dear General, most sincerely yours,

DUNMORE.

To General Howe, Boston.