Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

ANSWER.

Norfolk, August 30, 1807.

Gentlemen,—Your address entitles you to my utmost gratitude and thanks. I deem this voluntary offering of your personal affection, and tender of your confidence, the highest reward and the proudest honour which could have been conferred on me.

I know indeed, that I am indebted, not to my own merits, but to your generous partiality for these commendations. This very conviction, will, however, stimulate me to pursue with renewed ardour the acquisition of those qualities which your friendship has conferred on me in advance.

With the difficulties and embarrassments which generally attend the introduction of discipline among new levies, I had not to encounter in our late service. A patriotick zeal, fervent, but well regulated; a just and intimate conception of the relative duties and obligations of a citizen and a soldier; a noble emulation to exalt the character of the American army, and to distinguish our own corps, had so universally pervaded our troop, that nothing was left for me to create or to originate, and but little to regulate and direct. In discharging the few duties which the zeal of the troop left me to perform, that I have had the good fortune to be approved by those whom I regard so much as men, and value so highly as soldiers, will always be a source of pure delight.

Should our country require our aid, the fondest wish of my heart will be gratified, if I can be allowed to share with you the glorious toils of a campaign in defence of our national dignity; and of participating in the honours, which, in the day of battle, the Norfolk Volunteer Troop of Cavalry will not fail to acquire.

I have the honour to be,
With the utmost regard and respect,
ROBERT B. TAYLOR.

To Messrs. Thomas McCandlish, Cary Selden, Thomas Gaterwood, Wm. B. Lamb, Bolling Starke, Robert Andrews,—Committee of the Norfolk Volunteer Troop of Cavalry.