and lo C'.011q11cr. Thcr war will assume a still ll\C,rl! invclernlc aud malig1wnl c:h:irnclcr than it hw; y<·t cxhiliit,:d: fur the spiriL of vintlictivc11<~ss is greatly exasperated on both sidc:s. Som~ painful, mal, as I conceive, u11happy incidents, have taken place since you left. The prisoners, S:mla Ar111a and his suite, have becm removed lo Columbia, am! arc now in the custody of Captain Patton, a deputy from the army. A wild and intractable spirit of revenge is c1broad among the people; it perv:Hlcs all cl,1sscs, and, in its high cxaccrhation, overlooks all claims of public faith, and all consi<leralions of public policy. I am sometimes apprehensive lhal the inddiblc stigma may he fastened upon us that would accrue from the assassination of the obnixious prisoner. We are greatly in want of money, men, and provisions. A few well-mounted (light) six or four pounders, with a good supply of muniments, would be very valuable. Can you contrive no means lo procure and send us some six or eight of these? We also walil an increase to our navy. Om~ eighteen gun brig, of Lhe nat-sharp model, would be immensely useful; for we musl endeavor or maintain the ascendency on water. Two eighteen and two thiry-two pounders (long-guns) arc necessary lo the defense of Galvcstiun lsland, and lo keep open, but that is vital importance. If these artillery can be had, a cornpclcnl supply of chain, double-headed, and round shot, wilh grape and c.u1ister, should accompany them. 1 lrust you will have made some advances in Lhc parlicular purpose of your mission. Every day's experience confirms my sense of the importance of it. Wishing you God-speed, 1 am, in great haste, Your ob,~dicnl St\rvant David G. 13urnel
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