Sir,
Only a few days ago I was favored with your letter, of the 2d of May, 1782, covering a resolution of Congress of the 1st, on a report of a committee to whom was referred a communication of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
However insidious the designs of the Court of Britain may be in representing us as a divided people to the several mediating European powers, the several great exertions making by the Continental Union, to prosecute the war with vigor against her, I make no doubt, will shortly undeceive them, and expose our enemy to the just contempt and ridicule he will draw upon himself by such false and illusive insinuations.
Whilst the enemy held the important post of Wilmington, the above suggestion might be too true respecting its environs, and the disaffected settlements of this State, but since they have abandoned the same, our late revolted citizens, conscious of their delusion, return with cheerfulness to their allegiance and duty in support of the common cause, and I flatter myself we shall soon be a reunited people, and join our efforts with more efficacy to those of our sister States, in terminating the war with honor to our arms.
Sensible of the great attention paid to the several States by the Congress in this resolution, and the pertinent observations you have made thereon, with a zeal becoming its importance, in putting our Legislature on their guard against any separate overtures that may be made to them by Britain, without the intervention of Congress, I shall with pleasure do myself the honor to lay the same before them at their earliest meeting, which will be on the 1st of November next, at Hillsborough. In the meanwhile, Sir, I can venture to pledge the faith of the State, that the General Assembly will listen to no negotiation, however flattering, and apparently advantageous, but what is made through the great Council of the Continent.
Yours of the 14th of May, announcing the birth of the Dauphin of France, I have had the honor to receive, which joyful event as it concerns the happiness of our great and illustrious ally, and future welfare of his kingdom, I have communicated to the good citizens of this State.
Enclosed you have a copy of the acts of our last General Assembly, agreeably to your request, which by the delay of the printer could not reach you sooner. I hope my letter, accompanied with a map, has safely come to hand.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ALEXANDER MARTIN.