Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

By your letter of the 30^th of last month
to the Honble Maj^r Gen^l Marquis La Fayette I
find that the Lieutenants of the counties adja-
cent to Portsmouth have their doubts with
respect to ordering their Militia into the field
without particular orders from the Governor.

To prevent in future any inconveniencies
arriving from [such] doubts I do hereby impower
you to call on [tear] County Lieutenants of Norfolk
Princess Ann, Nansemond, Southhampton, Isle Wight,
& Surry for as many militia from those
countys as you can arm observing to make
the requisition in proportion to the numbers
of the militia in each County. — These
milita militia I desire you will take
the command of & arrange them in such man-
-ner as you shall think most conducive to
the interest of the service.

This is all the commission I can
at present send you the Executive being
at so great a distance from us as to put it
out of my power to obtain a proper one for
you. With respect to the disposition of these Troops
you will receive orders from the Marquis.

I inclose you a warrant for the purpose
of impressing horses which I wish you to put
into proper hands to [execute].

88

On Public Service
Col^o Josiah Parker
Smithfield

Gen^l Nelson
8 June 81
56