Resurrecting the First American West

Richmond 2nd July 1780

D^r Col.

I am bound to return you thanks on behalf of the Kentucky Inhabitants for your late attention shewn to their distresses. - The assembly will sit about 10 days longer I expect - The House were yesterday in Com^ee upon the Bill for recruiting 5000 regulars I expect will pass the whole House nearly as in Com^ee. The County to be laid off in 4 Divisions of 44 men making each division as equal in ability assigning a certain district for each division If the Bounty of 2 or 3000 will not raise the four men or 11th part of the Militia. The property of the District is to be charged I make good the Residue - The Finance [page damaged]s only been read the first time & altho' I am a friend to [damage]et I find it extreme ly exceptionable & doubt whether it [damage]ls - a False Alarm yesterday occasioned the House to [damage] absence to many of the Members for the Rem^r & I fear the [damage] will be thin

Gen^l Clinton with 4000 men arrived about 2 Weeks ago at N. York. Kniphausen had advanced before to Eliza^th Town Point and Gen^l Washington was at Springfield on his Flank I expect the the Enemy are thus industrious this spring to affect something of Moment before the arrival of the French Fleet & I much fear their vigour will exceed ours. As to Kentucky news - the Coun ty is divided into three- Bensons Creek & the Beach Knobs separate Jefferson the lower County from Lincoln the upper one both on the South side the River - Fayette is the name of that on the N^o Side Kentucky - Connolly's 1000 Acres of the Falls is given to Trustees for a Town Louisville - a Bill is running the Gauntlet for vesting the escheated lands in Trustees for a publick School But parsimony still holds a Seat among us & I fear a Majority will at last prevail against it -

Pray what news about the Tories? Acc^ts from your Quar ter alarm us much. You dont want precedent for the proper punishment if you succeed - I shall be about Richm^d till the Middle Aug^t I will be glad of a line or two. Comp^ts to your Lady I am D^r Col. Your mo. obed^t Hble Servant

Jn^o [Toddy's?]

Historical 1780 "Connoll's 1100 acre grant is given to trustees for a town Louisville"

Campbells Washington