Owens's Plantation
Dec^r 26^th 1780

Dear Sir

W. Grier would inform you of the firing heard at Liles's Ford & of my having Sent to know the Cause of it, which proved to be nothing more than A [Parcel?] of own Militia who had got too much Rum & began to celebrate Christmas to[o] early by firing their Pieces -- We lost a man Yesterday killed outright by the fall of A Tree at [our?] 2^d Guard in the great Squall. I am

Dear Sir
Your most Obed^t Serv^t
Arch^d McArthur

[Source: Public Records Office, Kew, PRO 30/11/4/407-408.]