I was yesterday informed by Colo Robert Salter who left tarborough that morning that Colo William Williams was out there on some Business and had receiv’d an Express from Mr. Whitnil Hill informing him of a Traiterous Conspiracy formed mostly in Martin and the adjacent Counties but more or less in almost every County from North to South of the State They were at some certain night to fall on & assassinate all the leading men

The discovery was made by some Person whom they had lately taken up & examin’d and it is generally believed there are some principal Persons concerned in their horrid plan If so it’s more than probable they are acquainted with the unguarded situation of the magazine of this State and will make an attempt to destroy it. I beg leave to observe to your Excellency that I think the Artillery Company at Wilmington are quite insufficient, even with the greatest Diligence to the task of guarding the two Forts Magazins &c.