Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-02-13

NAVAL ARMAMENT OF NoRTH-CARoLINA AND VR.
GINA DURING THE REvoLuT1oN-A citizen Of Vir-
ginia, having written to Gov Bragg requesting him
to cause the archives of this State to be examined
to ascertain the facts in relation to the sending of
the ship Caswe1l, in IT'S, on expedition against
East Florida, &C. Governor transmitted the let
ter to President Swain, of the University, who, it
was considered, from the documents in his posses
sion and his extensive and accurate knowledge of
our revolutionary history would be able at once to
furnish all the information on the subject to be de-
rived from the State archives; and the following
correspondence between the Governors of the res
Pective States has been handed US for publication
ihere are very few persons, We suppose, who are
aware of the fact that North Carolina provided her.
Self with naval armament during the revolution,
and that she stood forth early and prominently
Tor the defence of Virginia, is SO handsomely
acknowledged by Lieut.. Governor PAGE Two ships.
the Caswell and Washington, were, it seems, con.
structed in North Carolina at the Joint expense of
Virginia and this State, at an early period of the
revolution and stationed at Ocracock for the protcc
ton of the commerce of both States OF the hsto.
ry of these vessels have very little information.
in addition to what may be cleaned from the inter-
esting correspondence, given below, between Lieut..
Governor PAGE, Gov. HENRY, Gov. CAswEL1, and
Gov. JEFFERSON.
In COUNCIL, WILLIAMSBURG. Sept e6, l777.
His ErcelLency, Goo. CasaceU:
SIK:-The Board having received information
that Ocracock Inlet has been blocked up by some of
the enemies small cruisers and tenders and it be-
ing suggested that if the gaies which were direct
ed to be built and fitted out at the Joint expense of
North Carolina and Virginia, or even of them,
,,o1 t,a S1v <bck
pass might be easily opened to the great advantage
of these States and possibly to the disgrace and de-
struction OF that part of the enemies fleet It is
therefore, hoped that your Exceiency will give such
orders in this matter as may appear to you most
likely to produce the d. srable purpose lust men
toned. We have desired Champion Travis, ESQ,
one of the Commissioners of the Navy, to examine
into the state of the galies the South Quey and
to give directions for the immediate execution of
what may be wanting on our part, that we may be
able, as soon as possible, to cooperate with your
State in the most vigorous manner, for our mutual
defence. l cannot refrain from acknowledging the
obligations think the State is under to YOU Sir
for the orders you issued for onethird of your mill.
tia to hold themselves in readiness to march to our
assistance on the late alarming OCCASION and to the
good people of North Carolina for the readiness they
have always showed to assist us. May an affection
ate, mutual attachment between Carolina and Vir-
gina ever increase to the honor and security of the
United States in general, and of those contiguous
sister States in particular.
Last Tuesday evening the whole of the enemies
fleet, which had gone up the Bay, went out of our
Capes. We have received no authentic accounts:
but from the best that be collected we lost or
hundred men, and the enemy near 1000 in the &C.
ton of the l1th instant
General Washington has received reinfo.cements,
and Howe has retired from the head of Brandywine
to Wilmington. have enclosed you the [paper of
thel week for your further information and have
the honor to be with the highest respect, Sir,
Your most obcd'nt servn't,
JOHN PAGE