Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Lindsay Opie and James Ball, 12 April 1781

From Lindsay Opie and James Ball

Northumberland County April 12th. 1781

Sir

About ten or twelve daies ago I lost two very valuable Fellows, and Mr. James Ball lost three, which we conjectured were gone on board some of the Enemys Vessells, as for some time past, they have been, and still are hovering about the Shores of Potomack, from the mouth of the River, as high as Alexandria; our conjectures Proved true, for from the information of a young Gentleman, a near Neighbour of ours, who was taken some time ago by the Enemy and put on Shore yesterday by a Flag, two of the said Negroes (which he well knew) were on board the Sloop of War, the Trimmer Captain Phillips, and he does not know but the others might be there also, as he did not know them, or on board the Surprize Capt. Ross, (a Consort to the Trimmer) as there is a considerable number of Negroes on board both Vessells, which loaded with Tobacco in Mariland at Ceder Point Warehouses last week, and are gone to Portsmouth to unload, as it is say’d. The reason of our Troubleing your Excellency on this Occasion is, in hopes you will favor us so far as to grant us a Flag to go in search of them, as they are valuable young Fellows, and we are not able to bear the loss. Should your Excellency think proper to indulge us, Capt. Samuel Denny, who was brought up in the Navy, and is a prudent discreet man, has been so kind as promise to attend us. As these slaves will be a great loss to our Families, we hope it will extend a sufficient excuse for Intruding upon your Excellency. We are the more entent upon geting these Negroes, as it will deter those we have left. I lost a third Fellow, the best I had when Lord Dunmores fleet was with us, and the two present ones make it a most feeling loss to me. The Enemy are distressing the People upon the Water in this part of the Countrey exceedingly, by Robing them and Burning their Houses, and we have few good Guns, and little Amunition to defend ourselves with, which is Very dishartning. Col. Gaskins in this County, had his dwelling house burnt to Ashes yesterday Morning by the Enemy. If your Excellency will be kind enough to grant us a Flag, we should be greatly oblige to you to Authorize Capt. Denny to insert the Flagmen. We are your Excellencys most Obedient & Humble Servants

Lindsy Opie

James Ball

P.S. As I am in a very lowe State of health, and know not wheather I shall be able to go with the Flag, would most humbly thank you to allow me to depute some Gentleman in my [stead] shoud [I] not be able to go. L. OPIE

RC (Vi); evidently in Opie’s hand and signed by him for both writers; addressed; endorsed in part: “April 16th 1781” (date of receipt). Enclosed in the letter from John Gordon and John Hull to TJ, 14 Apr. 1781, q.v.

It is clear from the present letter that Council’s decision of 3 Feb. 1781 (see Vol. 4: 681) to deny all requests for flags “for the purpose of solliciting a restitution of plundered property from the enemy” did not effectively prevent applications, and the following from Gen. William Phillips to Muhlenberg indicates that it did not forestall actual solicitation: “I must stand excused from suffering Individuals to enter within the outposts of the King’s Forces under my Command. The requests of persons respecting Negroes or otherwise not proceeding directly from an American General Officer may be sent in writing, to which attention will be given. I must desire of you, Sir, to refer to the explanations already given by Brigr. Genl. Arnold upon the subject of Negroes which seem to me to carry every proper Weight upon the Occasion” (Phillips to Muhlenberg, 7 Apr. 1781, PPAP). The Council’s decision was based on its opposition to Arnold’s discrimination in favor of Loyalists, but in one instance a flag was recommended because the applicant was suspected of disaffection to the American cause: on 6 Apr. 1781 Col. Josiah Parker wrote to Steuben: “Mr. Ronaldson has been some time soliciting a Flag to remove his family and effects in consequence of the Governors Proclamation respecting paroles. He has incommoded himself with a view of going to Bermuda. Many reasons concur to convince me that his going will not be disadvantageous to the publick. I have therefore to request that you will permit him to remove” (Parker to Steuben, 6 Apr. 1781, NHi). See also TJ to Wills, 9 May 1781.

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