To His Excellency Arthu[r Dobbs Governor Capt.] General and Commander in [Chief in and over] the Province of North Caro[lina.]
The Humble Pettn. of Allexr. Mebin Major of the ^Militia in the^ County of Orange
Humbly Sheweth, That in the Absence of the Coll[ectio]n of Sd County, your Pettr. Thinks it his Duty to lay before your Excelly In this Time of Danger the defenceless State Sd. County is in, by the Want of Officers to Command, The Greater part of those formerly in Comissn. Being Removed, & left the Country, or Refuse to Act, A List of the Captains formerly in Comd. is as follows Viz.
Captains Liveing in the Country & Acting
John Gray
James Wattson
Jos. Boggs
Robt Lytle.
Captains gon out of the Country
James Dickey
John Gordon
Robt. Harper
Captains who Refuse to Act.
Michael Dixson
Mark Morgan
Your Pettr. Most Humbly Beggs lave to Recomend to your Excelly as proper persons to fill the vacant Coms. Viz
Willm. Armstrong in place of James Dickey
Lawrence Rambo in place of John Gordon
David Hart in place of Robt Harper
Thos. Williams in place of Michl. Dixson
Thos. Loyd in place of Mark Morgan
Your Pettr. Further Sheweth to yr Excelly That by the Increas of People Lately Setled in the County, it is Nessesary to Increas the Number of Company, And your Pettr is of Opinion, that ther[e] is a Suficient Number of Men to make Two Com[panies] [torn] Under persons are proper to Command [torn].
[torn] Gee, Ritchd. Parker To Command Two new Compa[nies]
Your Pettr. further Sheweth to yr. Excelly. That there are Wanting Seven Lieutenants, and Seven Ensigns, Beside those in Com[missio]n, But your Pettr. Cant take on himself to Judge Who is most Proper Until he Consult the Severall Captains, And therefore Prays that if your Excelly thinks proper that youl Order Blank Com[mission]s for them, as yr. Excelly did formerly,
And your Excellys Pettr as in Duty Bound will Pray
Alexdr. Mebane
Ensign to make out
