Craven County NcArchives News.....Potts, John mentioned in Letter from Camp July 3, 1778
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Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 September 9, 2014, 5:34 pm

The North Carolina Weekly Gazette Friday (New Bern, NC) July 3, 1778

Baltimore, Jun 6.
Extract of a letter from camp, dated May 27.
At Germantown I was overtaken by Mr. Coomb the elder,
who has thought proper to take the oath prescribed, and
claim the benefit of the law. I left him at head quarters
yesterday afternoon. Mrs. _____? had liberty to come 
out of the city again, but her friends advised her not to 
put herself ito the trouble, as it would be but a few days
before she might remove her family there in peace, as
Philadelphia was certainly to be evacuated by the enemy.
This unexpected revolution of government, or of the 
commander in chief (but said to be the former) has
thrown the loyalists into the utmost horror and dispair. 
Mr. Galloway, Mr. Shoemaker, Mr. Potts, and Mr. Dan
Cox ar to go with the enemy. Mr. John Lawrence, 
Andrew Allen, Enoch Story, Mr. Airy, and some other
citizens, also go with them --
All who fear to stay are offered passages and rations.
The following gentlemen have resolved not to leave
the city. Mr. Tench Cox, Dr. William Smith, Mr. Stringer,
Mr. Coomb jun. and James Allen. I mention these in 
particular, as most people though they would go off.
Thomas Livesly is to be out today, to deliver himself up.
The best judgement I can form is, that they will not
leave the city in less that six or eight, or perhaps ten
days; it may be a fortnight. Their destination is uncertain.
It seems most probable, that the sick, wounded, 
invalids, and women will go by water to New York,
and that those in health will march through Jersey to
Staten island. General Howe embarked last Sunday
at noon. Before he left the city, Israel Pemberton, it
is said, waited on him for payment of damages, done
to his property to the amount of several thousand
pounds; that being refused any compensation, he told
the General he was determined not to put up with the
loss, and would follow him to London. Whig and tory
have suffered indiscriminate ruin in and near the city,
where there was the least occasion, or when caprice
directed the destruction of property. Mr. Samuel Burge
is so affected by his loss as to be thought out of his
reason. On Monday night there was a meeting of the
principal inhabitants of the city (without distinction as
to religious societies) said to be to consult what steps
to take to obtain favour and protection from government,
and from his Excellency General Washington, who I
doubt not, is already informed of the result of their
meeting; for he knows everything that passes, and 
was informed of the intention of the enemy to remove
from Philadelphia before the inhabitants had any
idea of it. It was not publickly known by them till
last Saturday afternoon. Mrs. ___? says her head 
grew dizzy with the bundle? and confusion she saw
on Monday last. Carts, drays, and waggons, laden
with dry goods and household furniture, dragged by
men through the streets to the wharf, for want of
horses; beds, boxes, trunks, chairs, tables &c. turned
out in the utmost confusion and haste; joy sparkling
in the countenances of the whigs, and consternation
painted in those of the tories. I am desired not to leave
the neighborhood of Philadelphia till the enemy take
their departure. I shall then enter amongst the first. 
It may be depended on that John Potts has
confessed himself in an error. He declared to Mr.
Coomb that he would not leave the city, could
he hope his person would be safe. The Quakers 
and others are full of resentment against
?? king's army. Dr. Smith assured Mr. Coomb, that
Mr. Galloway had serious thoughts of applying,
through General Washington for favour. "

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