Thomas Newton Jr. letter April 20, 1782.

Col. Thos. Newton to Col. Davies
1782 April 20th Norfolk
Dr. Coll:
“At present have to inform you that the Commissioners of Specifies in these two lower counties do exert themselves to my best wishes -  the county of Nansemond has given some supplys & I hope for more from them -  Isle of Wight will give us some bacon but no grain.  The other counties will pay in money, but at the latest day, though shall push them hard for immediate pay.”
“You say nothing of property left by the British here, many have had their horses taken & sold.  the obstinate keep theirs & I know of no way to compel them to deliver.”
Friends in general, if they have any property that was left by the enemy make a matter of conscience to give it up to the public, whilst the inimical keep all they can lay their hands on” -  
As to cannon being placed on Cape Henry, I think it would not answer any good purpose - two field pieces of Artillery would do much better, fixed a few miles to the South’d & on occasion, to be removed from place to place.  nine pounders would protect any vessel against privateers all along the coast & prevent boats from destroying any vessel run on shore & fast horses could convey them to any place as the sand is very firm at low water & at the most of times could bring them off.”
Yr: most ob Servnt.

Fort Norfolk Documents

1782 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, 1782 TO DECEMBER 31, 1784
PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND
ARANGED AND EDITED BY Wm. P. Palmer, M.D. of Virginia
Under authority of the Legislature of Virginia
PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION BY Sherwin McRae, Under authority of the Library Committee.
VOLUME III
RICHMOND; JAMES E GOODE, PRINTER.
1883.