My dear Colonel

I wrote to Col. Tayloe two or three days agoe, from whome I suppose you have had the news, and intended by Mr Colston to answer your last letter; but an express from the Camp last night having bro't fresh intelligence I take the advantage of tomorrow's post to communicate it to you. The transports from Ireland with five Regiments compleat have arrived at Boston, a fishing boat, with 6 muskets took a schooner belonging to the fleet, loaded with provisions for the officers, in her were many letters by which we learn that the Roman catholic Lords, Bishops, & Gentry are extreamly active in procuring recruits; The Protestants very averse to the business, many recruiting parties driven out of their towns, and even the lower class of catholics, show great dislike to it, but with the high premiums given by the Popish towns &ca many recruits are raised, & it is expected as many will be raised as will compleat the number intended for the next campaign, which they say is 22,000. 5,000 Hanoverians are to garrison Gibralter & portmahon, the british regiments there to go to England & Ireland. I will not anticipate your reflection upon these infamous proceedings of the Ministry, but I think he must be blind indeed who does not see the design of establishing arbitrary Government in America; and unworthy the name of man, who does not oppose it, at all hazards. The establishment of Popery, will no doubt, be the reward of the exertions of the Roman catholics. We do not think the whole of these raw Irish will make a dinner for our troops, our only fear, is the want of ammunition, but we hope to be releived from that, before next spring  our cutters have taken two more of their caitering Vessels one loaded with wood, the other with provisions. 600 of the enemy made a sally out of Boston, to carry off some cattle but a few of our men quickly repulsed them, with the loss of two of their men. We have heard of Arnold's being in Canada & recd with open arms by the inhabitants, so we expect that Quebec, & of course the whole Province is ours by this time. so much for news. I am glad to find that amidst all the breeches button making in Virga & in spite of the Cholic you keep up your spirits; & therefore hope you have defeated all the party schemes in Richmond. Lord Dunmore seems to be a little quiet, since the taste of Virga prowess at Hampton, we expect that Col: Woodford will keep him to his good behaviour at Norfolk ー pray remember me to all my friends, present my best respects to my friend Mr Carter & his Lady, & believe me allways [&c.]