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To Col. Elbert Savannah 26th April 1777 Dear Sir, Your letter by Capt Mosby (unclear) lies now before me. The orders & instructions sent you, & inclos'd [sic] in it ,was kept a profound secret from me as well as every part of their proceeding the last meeting where I had not so much as a hearing, which was the reason I cared not the disappointed & undeserv'd malice of one of the people, which does me honor, as it evidently shows the world that all their Industry & Invention cannot find any just cause of complaint. I am determined that no Testament shall ever cause me to sacrifice the said? of my country whatever they may do & in order to forward this expedition which I fear was delay'd so long on by to endeavor to find some flaw in my conduct. I chearfully [sic] resign the Command of it as it is to you, Confident that everything will be done to serve our Country & of the Common cause that can be reasonably expected. The directions of the council shows fully the intention of the expedition, which your [sic] are to expect to the utmost of your power. but as you have not the force that is as first expected & the enemy have been inform'd of our proceeding by the pretended Flag of Truce & otherwise, I had so much