Hundreds had enlisted to serve his Britannic majesty

[Below is from a letter to Samuel Huntington on September 14, 1780, on which I discuss being prepared for an insurrection.]

Another circumstance should be previously determined on supposition that an invasion of this state should take place. A spirit of disaffection which had never been suspected, has lately discovered itself in the counties of Washington, Montgomery, Henry, and Bedford, and had extended so far as that many hundreds had actually enlisted to serve his Britannic majesty, had taken oaths of allegiance to him, and had concerted the time of insurrection. The last of the counties abovenamed is within 60. or 70 miles of the Barracks in Albemarle and had always been considered as a barrier to any enterprize on them from the Southward. Other counties equally relied on may fail us in the hour of trial. Should an invasion of this state take place, and the progress of the enemy, or other circumstances render a removal of the Convention troops necessary, to what place should they be removed? I would beg the instructions of Congress on this head and at this time that we may at no future time be at a loss when such a measure shall be rendered necessary.