From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 14 October 1780
To Samuel Huntington
Richmond Oct. 14. 1780.
Sir
At the desire of Majr. General Gates I transmit you the inclosed papers which he put under cover to me. He complains of the arrival of our troops without clothes, tents, or arms at Hilsborough: and desires they may not be sent on at all unless completely equipped with every necessary. This would indeed put an end to the marching a single man there. They go clothed as militia. Few of them carry blankets. Nor shall we be able to furnish tents or arms for more than half of them. However they will go on in hopes of supplies from Congress. I have the honor to be with the most profound esteem & respect Your Excellency’s Most obedt. & most humble servt.,
Th: Jefferson
RC (DLC: PCC, No. 71, i); endorsed: “Letter Govr. Jefferson Octor. 14th. 1780.” Enclosures (same location), originally enclosed in Gates’ letter to TJ, 6 Oct.: (1) [Gen. Sir Henry Clinton] Orders, dated “Head-Quarters, Charles-Town Neck,” June 1, 1780, congratulating Cornwallis and Tarleton on their success against the Americans in the back country (broadside, “Charlestown printed: New-York, Reprinted by James Rivington”). (2) Cornwallis to [Clinton?], no place or date, reporting the British victory at Camden, 16 Aug. (“Copy”). (3) Lt. Col. Nisbett Balfour, “Comdg. at 96,” proclamation against plundering loyalists (“true Copy”). The last bears the following endorsement: “Lord Cornwallis’s & Lt. Col. Balfours Letters; taken upon a Spy -17th. Sepr. 1780.-at Hillsborough” (see also Gates to TJ, 6 Oct. 1780); it is not certain whether the date and place given refer to the capture of the spy or to the making of the endorsement. (4) Col. James Williams to Gates, dated “Burk County [N.C.] 2nd October 1780” (RC). (5) William Davidson to Jethro Sumner, “Camp near Phyfers,” 3 Oct. 1780 (“Copy”). (6) W. R. Davie to Davidson, “Flying Camp,” no date (“Copy”). (7) William Preston to Martin Armstrong, “Bottetourt Court House,” 18 Sep. 1780 (“Copy”).