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Thomas Mathews to the Governor July 8, 1807


Your express of the 6th ins't reached me this day at 1/2 after one P. M. The British Squadron continued in their first position until this morning, when three of them removed and took their station near Sewell's point in the direct rout to this place; whether the movement proceeded from the change of weather, or it has been taken with a hostile intent it is difficult to say. The professions they have lately made, have been pacific, but they are not to be trusted.
To defend the pass by water to this place, I have used the best abilities of our people to repair Fort Norfolk, and will have nine eighteen pounders mounted and in great forwardness for defence this evening. It appeared to me that this work would be of considerable aid to the Chesapeake and French Frigate Cybelle, who with four gun-boats have taken a position near Fort Nelson. This Fort is in excellent order and under the command of an officer in whom I have great confidence.
If any attack be contemplated by them, I trust they will receive a warmer reception than from our late apparent helpless state they have any idea of. This I am confident that they shall not occupy one foot of our Territory that shall not be well contended for. If they attack us, I expect they will land as many marines and seamen from the ships as they can spare, and make an attempt to take Fort Nelson in reverse.
The silencing of this work will be a means of expediting them in their advance to this Town. I shall take effectual means to prevent it. If time will permit. I shall erect a battery of ten 24 pounders near the marine hospital to provide for their comfortable reception in case they succeed in passing our line of defence below the town.
In consequence of the hostile appearance of the British, and the threats they were reported to have made aided by Douglass' letter, I was induced to dispatch a mail boat with a confidential gentleman to prevent his passing the Road. Williams was accordingly met and carried into Smithfield. On hearing this, I sent express to Gen'l Wills, directing him to impress the necessary wagons and carts for their safe conveyance by land to this place under escort of a subaltern guard. I received his answer by my express and am much surprised that the arms have not yet arrived. I shall send off to him this evening. I have directed my quarter-master to procure quarters for the troops expected here and have appointed a Forage master. I have been compelled to appoint an aid for the purpose of attending me and writing orders and letters.
When your Excellency considers the great want of discipline and the total want of knowledge of actual service in our countrymen, that I shall receive your sanction for this appointment.
I considered the force I had at command (if armed) as equal to any thing the British could spare from their ships to act by land. The reinforcement mentioned by your Excellency will be equal to my wishes, and the Cavalry will be very useful. I wish it were possible to obtain a few field pieces.
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