Thomas Newton Jr. letter August 23, 1793.

Thos. Newton, Jr., to the Lieutenant-Governor.
August 23d 1793.
Norfolk
Sir:
Your letter of the 16th, I received, & have directed a guard of 20 men under an Ensign, Serg't, & corporal on actual service; a difficulty arises whether substitutes can be admitted or not. Your opinion therein will confer an obligation on me. The artillery company does not appear by the law to be annexed to the militia of the Borough, & it is a doubt whether they can be compelled to do duty or not with the other militia; shall be glad of your advice thereon. The two field-pieces & one twelve- pounder are nearly ready, for which we shall want grape & large shott — powder can be got here at any time. I shou'd be glad to be impowered to have made a number of cartridges for the muskets, & cannon to be ready for any emergency', & have hopes the General Government will take into consideration the necessity of our having a Fort here. I beg to be informed whether an American vessel can be armed or not for their own defence; many voyages require it — such as to the Coast of Guinea, the Indies, & up the Mediterranean Seas. We are much in want of bullet moulds. If there are any in the Public Stores, I Should be glad to have a set that casts different sizes of balls, & Swan shots.
I am with the greatest Respect, yours.

Fort Norfolk Documents

Before 1793, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865

Source of Information

CALENDAR of VIRGINIA STATE PAPERS and OTHER MANUSCRIPTS, FROM AUGUST 11, 1792, TO DECEMBER 31, 1793, PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND. ARRANGED AND EDITED BY SHERWIN McRAE. VOLUME VI. RICHMOND: A. R. MICOU, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 1886