[From Dr. John Trefusis to Lord Dunmore]
Gwynn’s Island
June 30th, 1776
To His Lordship the Earl of Dunmore:
YOUR LORDSHIP shall forgive his correspondent for troubling him, but I am in a most anxious taking and I do exist in hope that Your Lordship might in some wise ameliorate my concerns. It is a vexing matter of some note that when the foraging party aboard the Crepuscule sloop-of-war returned this morning, they reported they had lost several of their number in an engagement upon the Rappahannock. There were two Privates of especial interest to me assigned to this detachment who were not among those who returned. I wish to hear with all celerity of their location and the manner in which Your Lordship proposes to assure their safety. Such word shall do much to soothe the troubled mind of
thy most humble & obedient servant,
Dr. J. Trefusis