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Thomas Newton, Jr. to the Governor Sept. 21, 1794

I rece'd your Excellency's favor by Mr. Brough. The artillery still do duty at the Fort, though some, of them have refused, and as this was a requisition of yours, I consider such as liable to ten dollars fine under our militia Law, and shall be glad of your opinion on this case as I wish to compel such men to duly. I was down in the Quarantine lookout boat on Friday and Saturday, when two British Frigates arrived, which now make four lying in the mouth of this River. What may be the cause of so many coming here at a time, we must wait with patience to know, but have heard that the Sun's crossing the line is the reason given.
We much want a person to take charge of Fort Nelson. I think a subaltern and 24 men too few for it, and conceive that an officer of experience and rank is necessary there with at least one hundred men. I am sorry to inform your Ex'cy that the work goes on slowly, and I think it will not be finished by volunteer labourers. Our pilots do not pay that attention to the proclamation I could wish. Yesterday one took a capt. of a Brig from Jamaica and brought him up. I could wish the Law inflicted a penalty on such pilots. The accounts from Jamaica are alarming. The sickness there rages to a great degree, but we have been very fortunate in the vessels which have arrived — their all being healthy. We have reports of its being very sickly in Baltimore also, and Charleston, S. Carolina, but not so alarming as to prevent intercourse with them.
Should any appearance of danger come to my knowledge, I will inform your Ex'cy. I still shall continue the lookout boat, unless your Ex'cy and council shall direct otherwise.
I am, &c.

Fort Norfolk Documents

Before 1794, 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 JANUARY 1, 1794, TO MAY 16, 1795, PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND. ARRANGED AND EDITED BY SHERWIN McRAE and RALEIGH COLSTON, UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF Hon. H. W. FLOUENOY, SECRETARY Of THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AND STATE LIBRARIAN. VOLUME VII. RICHMOND: J. H. O.BANNON, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 1888