Miles King letter July 6, 1793.
Miles King to the Governor, with Enclosures.
July 6th
Hampton
Dear Sir:
I this moment ree'ed the enclosed letter from Colo. Newton, Norfolk, giving a melancholy account of the distress'd French, and agreeable to his request I have sent an express to you. I beleive there is none arrived, except the 74-Gun ship; many others I expect will be in in a few days. I make no doubt but every assistance will be given them. I am certain the Inhabitants of our county will accomodate as many as in their power. --- is not very plenty at this place — a supply of that article will be wanting, & shou'd many arrive, the sooner some was sent forward the better. Any order given shall be executed as far as in my power. This afternoon a Brittish Privateer has put into Hampton to get wood & water, & I Suppose to keep out of the way of the 74-Gun ship. How long the privateer will continue, I can't say. She belongs to Jamaica.
I am with very great respect,
Your most ob't SciVt.
I could not get an Express under three pounds ten shillings, which I agreed should be paid — the Eider pays his own Expences.
M. K.
Norfolk, July 6th, 1793.
D. Sir:
A French 74 Gun Ship is arrived with a number of passengers on board who have been drove from Cape Francais, that place havi'g been destroyed; & a large number of distressed are momently expected in; it is said 150 Sail of vessels, full of all descriptions of persons. As it is requisite that some provision should be made for them by the public, I think an Express should be sent to the Governor on the occason. If you think with me you can dispatch one, & I have no doubt of the Governor's paying the Expences thereof and taking such steps as he may Judge proper for the suppty & reception of those unhappy & distressed people. Husbands, wives, parents, & children are distributed in such a manner that they Know not where to find each other. Twelve thousand are supposed to have been massacred at the Cape ; many were taken out of the water & thrown on board the vessels without cloathes or any subsistence whatever. I beg you to do what you can, & if you have places fit for the reception of some of them that you'll give the Gov'r information thereof.
I am most Respectfully,
Y'r Ob't Ser't.,
THOS. NEWTON, Jr.
Miles King, Esq., Hampton.
P. S. — To the Governor: I have not time to write, being called of to consult on the above occasion. You can forward this to him.
Norfolk, July 6, 1793.
D. Sir:
This morning arrived a French 74 Gun Ship with a number of distressed people from Cape Francais, & I hear that 150 Sail are expected momently with the remains of the Inhabitants of that Town, it being destroyed by the Negroes, &c. ; these unhappy people require immediate assistance, & I hope y'r Excellency & Council will give such orders as they may be supply'd by the public. Private contributions may be made also. Their are greatly distressed, without cloathes, & every necessary being very suddenly drove off. The particulars shall be forwarded as soon as I can know them. A pilot informs me he saw a fleet off'.
I am y'r Exc'y's Ob't Serv't,
THOS. NEWTON, Jr.
Fort Norfolk Documents
Before 1793, 1793, 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 AUGUST 11, 1792, TO DECEMBER 31, 1793, PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND. ARRANGED AND EDITED BY SHERWIN McRAE. VOLUME VI. RICHMOND: A. R. MICOU, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 1886