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Intercepted Letter transmitted to Congress by General Washington, with his Letter dated December 18, 1775.
St˙ Augustine, October 2, 1775.
DEAR SIR: I was extremely glad to learn, by our old friend, Captain Barker, of the 16th, who arrived here yesterday, that you was well when he left Boston. I congratulate you upon a very narrow escape, where so many fell. The St˙ Lawrence, armed schooner, is safe moored in this harbour; she sailed in, at half flood, without touching. This I mention because I understand that it was apprehended her coming in would be attended with much difficulty; on the contrary, there was not one thing taken out of her, and she did not want the assistance of a boat. I have again been disappointed in a supply of ammunition. I had twenty-five hundred pounds of powder on board a ship bound from London to Georgia; about fourteen days ago she arrived, and the Rebels seized her powder, as they had before that in Captain Maitland' s ship. However, I borrowed from the ordnance stores about four thousand pounds; which, with some I have purchased, will be a supply.
This will be delivered by an unfortunate gentleman named Cameron, who has been obliged to leave his country on account of an affair of honour, in which his antagonist fell; he is desirous of becoming a volunteer, and begged of me to mention him to some officer in the army. I have, therefore, taken the liberty of troubling you upon the occasion, to beg your good offices, so far as you can with conveniency; and you must blame yourself for this, for if you had not made your own character remarkable by benevolent and good-natured actions, I should not now have applied to you, as I do with hopes of being pardoned by you for taking a liberty which nothing else could warrant. I have no particular news of any sort. Our communication with all parts of America is difficult, and dangerous to any person residing
I most sincerely wish you success and safety in all your enterprises; and am, with sincere regard, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,
JOHN STUART.
Letter from Colonel Stuart to Major Small
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in any of the disaffected Colonies. Our Carolina neighbours have threatened to pay us a visit; however, I doubt much of their putting their threats in execution. By the detachments sent from the Fourteenth Regiment this garrison is much weakened. Before the arrival of the St˙ Lawrence, the second detachment of troops to Virginia embarked, and left only thirty-five men fit for duty. I shall bring down some of my friends to stay with us here also. I shall find it extremely difficult to find provisions.