GOV. HENRY'S CIRCULAR LETTER.

Williamsburg, April 12, 1778.

Sir,

The season is now come when the enemy will again take the field, and perhaps, by means of an increased number of forces, may oblige the continental army to retreat, and so overrun and ravage a great extent of country. In order to check this destructive progress, it is more than probable that assistance from Virginia will be called for. As the volunteer scheme does not promise to succeed, the militia will be our only resource, and from that must be drawn so many men as the exigency may require. Added to this, our own country is liable to be invaded on all sides, and a prudent regard to our safety, nay our existence, demands that we be prepared to resist.

The design of this address is to require your most strenuous exertions to get your militia in readiness. In a particular manner, I entreat your attention to the arms and accoutrements of the men, and to see that one third part of them be put into readiness to march at a moment's warning. I desire that you will be particular in getting returns from your Captains, by which the repairs necessary to be made to the arms and accoutrements may be discovered; and, after orders are given for these repairs to be made, you will order other returns, by which you may see whether they are properly executed. Let powder horns and shot bags be provided, where cartridge boxes cannot. A particular report of the number of your men, and the condition of their arms and accoutrements, when you have executed these orders, will be necessary; and I shall expect it with impatience, equal to the importance of those consequences which will follow from the punctual discharge of your duty. I am, Sir, Your Most humble Servant,

P. HENRY.

Source: Official Letters of the Governors of the State of Virginia, Vol. I, The Letters of Patrick Henry, Virginia State Library, p265, 1926.