[Extract]

My dear Brother  I received your favour of the 11th inst. and have not time to congratulate you on your military behaviour, & but little more than to request that you will endeavour to encompass your ends without bloodshed.

I can no more at present than make you acquainted with two or three pieces of news in general ー [Moses] Kirkland is on board the Man of War (the Tamar) one [Bailey] Cheyney who came down with him as his friend & Guard was before the Committee ー afterwards Capt [Adam] McDonald of the Provincials disguised like a Cracker took Cheyney with him about nine o'clock at night to Ld. Wm's (Lord William Campbell) & by the result of the conversation his trepanned Lordship advises the back Country people not to take up arms unless they think they are full strong enough ー if they think they are they may: & that they will be soon relieved by troops expected to be here soon ー [Alexander] Innis has been ordered out of Town some days ago, & is on board the man of war (the Tamar).

The Governor detained the Mail about 24 hours in his possession ー he has returned to the man of war ー at the same time had the Cannon at Fort Johnson dismounted ー the Provincials about 200 are in possession of it. Some Letters by Packet say that 10 Transports and 2 Frigates are getting ready for this place, or will sail in a few days after the Packet, for the news had hardly time to spread yet. ー Innes was sent to the Fort last night to learn what troops had possession of it, & by whose orders and who commanded ー he was truly informed, they were busy in remounting the cannon yesterday, & as the Cherokee, an armed sloop that brought in De Bram, 2 and a barge were reconnoitring yesterday a brush was expected last night, & accordingly a reinforcement was sent there. ー Three Schooners are to be armed, & Williamson's Vessel is the first of our Naval Institution. She wears the long pennant; the other two are not yet determined (tardissime) ー Butler's when it returns from Philadelphia will, it is intended, be another ー People in Great Britain uneasy at Bunker's Hill. But in the spring tumults & insurrections are dreaded ー

I Am

My Dear Brother [&c.]