Thomas Newton Jr. letter May 24, 1793.
Thos. Newton, Jr., to the Governor.
May 24th 1793.
Norfolk
Sir:
I duly received your Exc'y's Letter of the 22d, and am truly sorry no provision is made by the General Government for defence of the Sea Ports. In my opinion, it is absolutely necessary that we should have a few Guns mounted to keep peace and order among the different nations now, and that will be hereafter in our parts. If your Ex'cy will permit the nine-pounder and the fours to be mounted, I think it will have a good effect — in many cases, the manning of our artillery company requires them to exercise with. Our use for them are for our own protection & keeping ye peace; as to the keeping them safe, they must be housed in the Town where the watch can guard them in their rounds — this is the only method I know of at present. If a small party of ten men could be obtained, they wou'd answer all purposes, as the militia alone can be called out, if necessary . I beg leave to observe that all the cannon I have made return of, are now exposed to every malicious Enemy, on a point opposite this Town. It was contemplated by the Executive to have a house built over them, but from the frequent firing them, I thought it useless; by which means, the balance remained in my hands — this will mount the three I proposed. If you would be so good as to send such carriages down as will suit, if they should be out of repair, they can be done here as cheap as anywhere. Should these guns be mounted, we shall want powder and shot for them, as we have none. I have had y'r proclamation printed in hand-Bills & sent it to many places where our newspapers are not taken, & I beleive it has had a good effect. The muskets I have distributed to the militia, taking a receipt for their return when called for, or the value if lost.
I inclose you a copy of my ac't, which will show the balance due the state.
And am with the Greatest respect,
Y'r Ex'cy's ob't serv't.
State of Virginia,
To Thos. Newton, Jr. :
To Cash paid Thos. Newton for taking the large cannon out of the River, -- -- - £10 4
To cash p'd Taring the Guns, - - - - - 2 13
To Ditto saving a nine-pounder out of a mill-dam (left by the Brittish), - - - - - - 4 12 6
To cash p'd surveying the Light-House Lott on Cape Henry, 2 3 3
To cash p'd Wm. Graves & Wm. Mosely for removing & collecting the Guns
to Fort Point, - - - 15 3
To cash p'd drayage muskets; To 5 & 6 Comm's on sales of the disabled
cannon, - - - - - 3 11 6
In T. Newton, Jr's hands, - - - - - 33 6 6
£71 10
By sales 35 Ton, 15 old cannon, To Thos. Brown @ 40, - 71 10
The first charge was for saving the Guns belonging to the U. S., by- order of the Gov'r, E. Randolph; the remainder belong to the state.
Grand & Co's Account current with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Extending from January, 1781, to December 14th, 1792.
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