Thomas Newton, Jr. to the Governor October 11, 1807

Your Excellency's letters of the 7th inst. came to hand on the 9th. I am informed by Capt. Nestle that some of his men are anxious to be discharged; he says he can perform the public service with a less number. I acquainted your Excellency some time ago that I should be obliged to leave this for Washington on the 15th of this month, and solicited the appointment of some person to take the command from that date if it should be determined by the Government to continue the present detachment in service. It has afforded me great satisfaction and pleasure that the first military services my country has called me to perform have been under your immediate direction and inspection. Your commands have been received and executed with alacrity and promptness. The style in which they have been communicated, insured them unlimited respect.
That you may consecrate your time, your talents, and your virtues to the nation, is a wish I have in common with my fellow citizens.
I pray your Excellency ever to keep in view that this part of the country is not prepared for defence. It is the door through which the enemy must pass into our country. I fear a greater reliance is placed on our forts than experience will justify. Craney Island is a site that is admirably calculated for a fort. The most difficult part of the navigation is opposite to that Island. The channel is narrow and intricate. Should a ship be crippled in attempting the passage, she must inevitably go ashore.
 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