New Bern 11th. August 1777

[D]ear Sir

I herewith inclose your Excellency the Confession and Deposition of one James Rawlins who formerly lived in Martin County & was concerned with a certain John Lewelling in a horrid Conspiracy to subvert the Consti^tu^tion of this State & massacre your Excellency with a Number other Persons mentioned in Rawlins’s Deposition. He was escaping from Martin County & was bound to a Place called not Knotts Island in Virginia, but by the Vigilance of Mr. Abram Jones [w]ho had been formerly at School under Rawlins, he was [ap]prehend[e]d & brought to New Bern by Jones. The f[…]t [I] […] of him was at Mr. Tisdales shop in C[…] [...] Jones last Friday & I had him committed to [wal] […] ^at night & ^ [...] [ne]xt Morning I sent for Mr. Davis & he was examined [a]t my House. He then requested he might have till this [d]ay to draw up his own Confession. He appears to be a very ignorant illiterate Fellow, but, at least will serve as a vary good Evidence against Lewelling & others who I hear are confined in Hallifax Goal. He has a Wife in Town & five small Children extremely poor who must be supported by Contribution, or starve. Orders are given for his Confinement until your Excellency directs [w]hat shall be done with him. As the Crime is of a most [hei]nous Nature & very dangerous in its Consequences; And […] the Confession he has made May be a means of putting […] to their diabolical Plan, I thought it my […] Send off an Express to your Excellency, with th[…] Papers.

The Tory Brigg commanded by Capt. Barzie is taken by 2 Privateers from Virginia. One of the Privateers took Possession of all the negros & money & carried them to Virginia ^with Capt Barzie^ the other Privateer is gone with the Passengers, Brigg & Cargoe to the French West Indies. And Mr. Pendleton who lives at our Bar is made Prize Master of the Brigg, by the Capt. of the Privateer. The Brig was some time ^over^ & at some Distance from the Barr, so that she will in my humble Opinion be a good Prize.

I hope your Excellency & Family are we[…] […] congratulate you upon […] most atrocious Conspiracy. Your Excellency assure yourself that my poor Abilities, mental as […] corporeal shall be exerted in Behalf of this Stat[e] whenever it is necessary. A Gentleman arrived here this morning 15 Days from Philadelphia, and assures us that Genl. Howe has embarked from N. York, with all his Forces in Transports. Some conjecture he his gone up the North River to join Genl. Burgoyne, & others that he is bound up Delaware. I am, your Excellencys,

most obedt. & humble Servt.

Jno. Cooke

Mr. Jones let with me the Return of the Militia in Hye County which I also send your Excellency.

[17]77.
Jno. Cooke
11th August