Thomas Mathews to the Governor June 29, 1807

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 25th. Since my letter of the same date, nothing material has transpired. Reports are various, but not such as can be depended on, that the British commander threatens to procure by force the necessaries he may stand in need of. The unanimous resolution of the citizens of this and the neighboring counties, prohibiting intercourse and supplies, may probably induce them to carry their threats into execution. Indeed I am apprehensive that the zeal of the citizens will suffer no opportunity to escape them of avenging themselves on their enemies. I admired their spirit, and shall use my influence to prevent them from committing their country by any rash or imprudent conduct.
It is impossible for me to describe to your Excellency the zeal that animates every breast. All orders are of one mind.
I now take the liberty to inform your Excellency that in conformity with the resolution of the committee of this place, aided by the necessity of the case, I have at the public expense engaged Capt. Williams' pilot boat to attend your Excellency for the purpose of receiving such arms and ammunition as you may think proper to afford us in the present emergency. I can only say that they are much wanted, that the greater part of the neighboring counties are without either, and the difficulty of being supplied, must be too obvious to need any remark from me.
Fifteen hundred or two thousand stand of arms, &c., can be well disposed of, and if your Excellency can spare us two or four brass sixes and nines, with travelling carriages, ball, &c, they can be used in case of necessity to great advantage. It has been impossible to procure the returns from the different Regiments in a state that would be satisfactory either to your Excellency or myself. I shall, therefore, account for such arms as may be forwarded.
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, 1799, TO DECEMBER 31, 1807, PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND. ARRANGED AND EDITED, UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF Hon. H. W. FLOUENOY, SECRETARY Of THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AND STATE LIBRARIAN. VOLUME IX. RICHMOND: J. H. O.BANNON, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 1890