Bland, Theodorick (1742-1790) to Richard Caswell
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02498.01 Author/Creator: Bland, Theodorick (1742-1790) Place Written: Petersburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 March 1778 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 22.8 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Captain Bland to North Carolina Governor Caswell. Express letter encloses letters from Congress (not included here). Says he has tried his hardest to get them to Caswell as quickly as possible. Messenger is to receive 50 Continental dollars, and since he has no public money he hopes Caswell can pay him. Docket says Caswell received the packet of letters on 6 April 1778. Page with address leaf and docket are separate from body of letter.
Sr.
The Enclosed Letters were delivered into my Hands by Col Baylor of the light Horse who received them from the Honble the Presdt of the Congress, & was by him desir'd to forward them by Express to which end I have for several days used my utmost endeavors to Employ one. I have at length agreed with the bearer Conway to convey them to yr Excellency he is to receive fifty dollars Continental Currency for so doing, which (as I have no public money in my Hands for that purpose, I hope yr Excellency will be pleased to order him. He is to return a Certificate of his having delivered them on which be please to make him sign a receipt for his wages. I have otherwise rendered my own private purse liable to him for that sum. I am with respect yr Excellency's most obedt H Servt
Theok Bland Col. 1st
Regt of L. Dragoons
March 31st
1778
Petersburgh ~
[address leaf]
His Excelly
Richd. C[aswell] Esqr
Govr of [North] Carolina
[by] Express [New] bern
[docket]
Col Bland
Petersburgh 31 March
1778
rec'd 6 April ~
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.