Autograph letter signed : Williamsburg, to Col. Charles Lewis, 1778 Dec. 23.

Informing him that British troops "may be daily expected in [his] county"; discussing efforts to raise a battalion of volunteers, and appointing Lewis to command it; emphasizing the importance of having guards stay with the British prisoners until the militia has been formed, especially since the prisoners "may be ill disposed & watchful to take every advantage which ignorance or inattention may give them"; noting that Lewis's militia should "hold themselves ready by having their arms in good order & ammunition laid in to act in case of necessity"; stressing the importance of not letting the prisoners get away; telling Lewis to also pay attention to "their wants, & to the dictates of humanity toward them."