Thomas Newton Jr. letter July 9, 1793.

Thos. Newton, Jr., to the Governor.
July 9th 1793.
Norfolk
Sir:
Since writing the 6th, the French Fleet is arrived. 20 odd sail have come in here, and more intended up. They will want large supplies of beef, mutton, &c. I hope your Excellency and Council will incourage the people to drive down to them. We shall do all we can here. Many of them are very distressed. We much want a cruising vessel off our Capes, & no force on land can give the necessary assistance to vessels daily attacked. If the two cutters that belong to the U. S. were armed, they would answer very well, a few hands added to their present number. Our place is crowded with Frenchmen, and too many negroes have been brought in with them. We have no person here well acquainted with mounting the field pieces on carriages. I have heard Mr. Quarrier is a good hand. If your Excellency and Council will be so good as to have them made and sent down, you will confer a great obligation on us, & they will be ever serviceable to the State. We shall want cannister shot for them, as we have none. Powder can be obtained here readily. A Republican Brig gave us a salute on Sunday, and we are at a loss how to act on such occasions. As Government generally provides for such cases, I shall be happy to have your opinion thereon. The carraige sent for the nine-pounder will cost almost as much as a new one; great part of the iron work wanting & no axles to it. I am putting it in order.
I am your Excellency's ob't servant.
The whole length four feet; the trunnions in the centre. The above is the size of the Gun. Should your Excellency think proper to have carraiges made for them it may be useful.

Fort Norfolk Documents

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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