[Extract]

We desire to avoid particularly adding to the disagreeable Subject of any Supposed censure on your conduct for detaining a part of the public Gun powder being persuaded that your Motives were laudable & we hope you will forget that Subject ー

We are Sorry however to inform you that the whole 1000 lb weight detained for your district is an over proportion of the public Stock compared with the necessary demands from other parts of the Colony ー in these circumstances we have judged it an indispensable duty, that we Should further expostulate with our friends in Georgia before we part with the twenty Barrels detained for them at Beaufort ー

The Governor continues on board the Tamar we are told that Moses Kirkland is gone to St Augustine by Sea & last Night the Officers of the Tamar Seized a Schooner belonging to Messrs Stone & Duval² under pretence that She had Warlike Stores on board because part of her Balast was Iron Shot which the Owners had made use of for that purpose in the present & a former Vessel for many years past ー Our difficulties Seem to be increasing at this unlucky juncture when our friends & those whom we Supposed to be with us are Spliting into factions & withdrawing their hands from the public Service ー nevertheless we must Struggle on & as our Cause is good Still Strive to Surmount every obstacle & we Shall get Safely through ー By order of the Council of Safety