Archive · With the French army and fleet, 1781 to 1782
July 11, 1782
Governor Harrison: “carried off by the french”
“Many of the negros belonging to this State and the two Carolinas are carried off by the french. I have written on the subject till I am wearied out.”
What it says, in plain language
In the last paragraph of a letter mostly about recruiting, taxes, and the garrison at York, Governor Benjamin Harrison complains to Washington that many people from Virginia and the Carolinas have gone off with the departing French army. Some have been sent back, and most senior officers, he thinks, want people who “do not really belong to the army” returned; but they are kept, “either for want of the owners having proof at hand, or from the Negros declaring themselves free.” Harrison had written Rochambeau on June 26 asking for “all the Negroes without distinction that are amongst your Troops.”
What it adds to the boards
Six weeks after this letter, Harrison wrote the Virginia delegates about people carried off by the British, the letter the editors of Madison’s papers think prompted the motion of September 10, 1782 (Board 2). Both armies, ally and enemy, were taking people away; Virginia’s governor pursued both.
No image of the original is shown here yet. The manuscript is in the Washington Papers at the Library of Congress; no page image is reproduced here yet.
Transcription
Virga in council July 11th 1782.
Dear Sir,
[The first five paragraphs concern Virginia's recruiting act, taxes, the garrisons at York and Gloucester after the French army's departure, the appointment of General Edward Stevens, news from Holland, and a merchant's exchange.]
Many of the negros belonging to this State and the two Carolinas are carried off by the french. I have written on the subject till I am wearied out, without being able to procure them, some indeed have been sent me and it appears to me that most of the officers of distinction wish that all that do not really belong to the army should be return'd, however by one means or other they are detain'd, either for want of the owners having proof at hand, or from the Negros declaring themselves free &ca our people are much disturbed at this conduct, and it will have a very bad effect And what makes the matter worse, is that the french will loose their services if ever they get so near the Enemy as to be able to desert to them. You saw the french army when it came here as well as myself, when you see it again you will be able to determine whether the charge is just or not. I have the honor to be with sentiments of the highest esteem and respect Your Excellencys most obedt and most Humble Servant
Benj. Harrison
Text from Founders Online (National Archives). Original spelling kept; the manuscript’s long dashes are shown as commas; modern editorial notes are not reproduced.