[Extract]

The spirit of outrage runs so high that on Tuesday last [June 13] my house was beset by great bodies of armed men who proceeded to such length of violence as to bring a cannon directly before my house, and point it at my door, threatening fire and destruction unless Mr. Fenton (a member of the Assembly sitting) who happened to call upon me, and against whom they had taken up such resentment as occasioned him some days to retire on board a man-of-war in the Harbour out of their way, should instantly deliver himself up to them; and notwithstanding every effort to procure effectual resistance to disperse the multitude, Mr. Fenton was obliged to surrender himself, and they have carried him to Exeter about fifteen miles from Portsmouth where he is, as I am informed, kept in confinement.

Seeing every idea of the respect due to his Majesty's Commission so far lost in the frantic rage and fury of the people as to find them to proceed to such daring violence against the Person of his Representative, I found myself under the necessity of immediately withdrawing to Fort William and Mary, both to prevent as much as may be a Repetition of the like insults and to provide for my own security.

I think it exceedingly for the King's service to remain as long as possible at the Fort, where I now am with my Family in a small incommodious house without any other prospect of safety, if the prevailing madness of the people should follow me hither, than the hope of retreating on board his Majesty's ship Scarborough, if it should be in my power. This fort, although containing upwards of sixty pieces Cannon, is without men or ammunition.