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Thomas Newton, Jr. to the Governor August 31, 1807


On the 26th of this month, General Thos. Mathews' order to take command of the Detachment of Militia continued in public service, was handed to me, accompanied with instructions for the government of my conduct. My time has been so much occupied in making the necessary arrangements, that I have not had leisure before this to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's Letter of the 24th instant.
I shall render unremitting attention to the public service. Your orders shall be executed with alacrity, promptitude and decision. Beyond the limits of my instructions, I shall not pass.
On the 29th of this month I sent Capt. John Read, accompanied by Mr. Tully Robinson, an intelligent young man with a flag to Commodore Sir Thomas Hardy, bearing documents from the Secretary of State, to obtain the liberation of some American seamen impressed and detained on board of the Squadron under his command. I likewise directed Capt. Read to take with him Wm. Mathias, a citizen of Princess Anne county, for the purpose of recovering his slave, stated to be on board the Triumph. I have charged Capt. Read and Mr. Robinson to have no further intercourse with them than that which relates to the business of their mission. It is with reluctance that I have any communication with a class of men who feel "power and forget right," and whose continuance within our jurisdiction is the superaddition of insults to injuries of the highest grade. I take the liberty of expressing my opinion on the intercourse I am directed to hold with them, to impress on your Excellency's mind a conviction that I shall not use the power entrusted to me for any purpose other than that of humanity.
I was a few days ago verbally informed by Capt. Read that the Boats of the Squadron were now within musket shot of the shore, and that the persons in them, not frequently exhibit a deportment little evincive of a conciliatory spirit. Capt. Read further stated that they would at one time row their boats in one direction, and at another in some other, making it appear as if it were their intention to land. This maneuvering, he supposes, had for its object the harrassing of his guard by keeping them constantly marching from place to place. He likewise informed me that they had taken the soundings of the Coast, and even of the entrance into Lynnhaven river. I consider it my duty to acquaint you with whatever occurs in this quarter.
The above stated facts are offered for the consideration of your Excellency. My instructions will not warrant offensive operations. I wait your further orders. Whatever they may be, your Excellency may to a certainty calculate on their execution, if the force entrusted to my command can by any possibility carry them into effect.
The waters on the shore of Cape Henry will admit their vessels to approach so near as to cover the landing of their men.
I have directed Capt. Read to render me a statement of the above mentioned facts in writing. I will endeavor to procure representation from other respectable sources relative to the same point, in order to lay before you the fullest evidence of their existence. Permit me to state the wants of the Detachment under my command. Capt. Read has had twelve tents. He says they are indifferent; three more are wanting. He also states that he apprehends his men will be sickly if they remain much longer crowded together. He is desirous of enlisting a Drummer and fifer; at present he is without either. He further represents his company is composed of young men who are very indigent, and that they are really in want of clothes and blankets. As to the tents. I considered it my duty to provide them without delay to prevent sickness, which in Camps is frequently the consequence of crowding too many persons in a narrow space. The three additional tents are on hand, being made some time ago by the order of General Mathews. As to the other wants, I solicit your advice and orders. Capt. Peter Nestle is still occupied in repairing Fort Norfolk. We are much in want of Gun carriages; we have not more than two 18-pounders mounted. Capt. Nestle solicits your permission to erect a furnace for heating balls. He says the expence will not amount to above sixty dollars. He also asks permission  to be allowed to practice his men in firing at a target. A knowledge in pointing and firing artillery cannot be acquired without practice. This knowledge is all important in making or resisting an attack. Your Excellency will view on the one hand the expence to be incurred for powder and ball, and on the other the advantage accruing to the public in having expert and skillful artillerists. You will perceive, Sir, that I am not disposed wontenly to squander the public treasure, by taking the precaution of consulting you on the expenditures necessary to be made. While I shall endeavor to avoid the censure of a criminal parsimony, I shall ever be studious of keeping within the limits prescribed by a just and enlightened economy. The Flag I sent to the British Squadron returned this morning. The liberation of one American seaman by the name of Rearce is procured, and assurances to set more at liberty if found on board of the Squadron have been made. Capt. Read and Mr. Robinson were received and treated with politeness.
Wm. Mathias’ negro man, has been restored to him. I solicit your Excellency to grant me permission to select such characters as I shall deem fit to charge with dispatches to the Squadron whenever my duty requires me to send them. The inconvenience, if not danger, arising from a restraint in this particular, must be apparent on reflection. Sir Robert Laurie, Bart, in the Laville de Milan, has arrived, and has taken command of the Squadron. Sir Thomas Hardy is still on this station. The Cleopatra is cruising (I am informed ) off our Capes.
As soon as Capt. Read and Mr. Robinson furnish me with a report of their mission, I will transmit you a copy.
I cannot keep up a daily, or any communication whatever with the Seashore without horses — two or three will be requisite for that purpose. The following Letters came under cover to me from Sir Robert Laurie, and unsealed: One to John Hamilton, British Consul, Norfolk, on his Majesty's service, Robt. Laurie; one Ditto to Messrs. Robert Maitland & Co.; one Ditto to Wm. Gray, Esq., at Col. Hamilton's, Norfolk; one W. Rowland, Esq'r, Norfolk ; one to Miss Louisa Maxwell, Norfolk, accompanied with a sealed bundle containing, as is supposed, music. My orders prohibit my delivery of them, or any of them, unless I first peruse them and judge their contents to be such as to authorize a delivery. If the rule is not complied with, I shall return them by the first conveyance unopened.
 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