Thomas Mathews to the Governor July 15, 1807

Your Excellency's letter of the 10th Inst, never reached me until 5 o'clock P. M. on yesterday, and my having written to you on yesterday induced me to detain the Express until this hour in order to communicate the observations of Mr. Lee, an intelligent officer whom I had dispatched with a communication from Mr. Erskine to the British Commander. Major Lee was sent on this duty in consequence of a request made by the Secretary of State to the Mayor of the Corporation to facilitate the despatches alluded to.
It is necessary to observe to your Excellency that the whole force of the Squadron at this moment consists of two line of Battle Ships — one of 60 Guns and one Frigate, 1 armed Brig and 2 Boats. They have ships on the Coast which call occasionally into the Capes and depart after a short stay. The whole force this Squadron could spare on an emergency for any hostile attack on our shore cannot exceed 700 men, say 180 marines, or probably 200, and 500 seamen. They will be cautious how they risk the latter. In consequence of this I have ordered 200 Infantry from the 7th Regiment and 500 from the 54th, and taken those detachments from the two towns of Norfolk and Portsmouth, to save our fellow citizens in the country from the distress which might arise in consequence of ordering them from home at this particular season.
The Cavalry and Artillery attached to my Brigade are likewise in service. With this force I am persuaded they cannot commit any serious outrage.
The facility afforded them by the command of the water, will enable them if they think proper to attempt it, to make frequent incursions in hopes to obtain a supply of fresh provisions and water. The President's Proclamation shall be my guide. As I have before observed to your Excellency, our only apprehension is by water. Should they contemn the order of the President of the United States, it is probable they may attempt the town by water; if they do, I trust their reception will be warm; the forces from my Brigade with the aid of the Cavalry ordered by your Excellency, appear to me competent to our security. From the extent of our coast, I shall be compelled to keep the Cavalry on pretty hard duty; I shall however indulge them all lean, the good of the service considered. The troops mentioned by your Excellency as having been ordered for Hampton, will I am persuaded answer all the purposes of defence.
Major Ambler with the detachment under his command arrived this day. They are much fatigued and require some time to recruit their strength and spirits. They are fine troops.
We have been extremely unfortunate with respect to the arms, it was not until yesterday that those forwarded by Williams arrived; those by Woodard with cartouch boxes have not come to hand, I expect them this day.
Gen'l Wells to whom I have written in a very pressing manner, must have met with great difficulty in procuring carriages. I wish your Excellency had been more explicit with regard to Major Winston's appointment. I have construed it to extend to Major Winston the duties of Deputy Adjutant-General and Inspector of the Line, and not in exclusion of the Inspector of my Brigade.
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