Dear Penman I wrote you a long letter some time ago by the post, & a very few days after, because I did not chuse to be disarmed by a couple of rascals sent by the Committee, a Letter de Cachet was issued by that august body and signed by your old friend Peter Timothy, by which I was order'd to quit the Province in 24 hours, the time was enlarged to four days, & I took refuge under the wings of old Thornborough in the Tamer. The Governor was soon obliged to follow me, leaving a clear stage for your friend [Henry] Laurens, & his Associates. The day after I went on board the Tamer, arrived the Cherokee commanded by Lieutenant Ferguson a noble spirited fine fellow. He brought out that old F——k Beggar De B——m for survey,² who wanted to get away when he found how things were, but avast hawling that rope Thornborough gave an order to Mr Ferguson to remain, against which De B. protested, & finding that would not do, he trusted to his connexions with some of the most violent rebels Edwards & Mr Parker, got leave from the Commee and landed his effects & suite: he had before offered his apartments to the Governor, which he now accepted, and fairly took possession, to the great mortification of De B. who had the assurance yesterday to write to the Governor he should again come on board, and turn him. out for that was the plain English of it, & received aproper answer. We know but little what is doing in Town, they are much divided amongst themselves, & had we a respectable force here, we could soon alter things, but these Provinces are much neglected. You would see Mr Kirkland to whom I refer'd you for all news. I was so busy the morning he went off, with our English Dispatches, it was not in my power to write by him. Tell [Daniel] Chamier [Jr.] he is a shabby fellow only one letter I have received from him since he left Georgia ー all his friends are well but d[amna]bly in the Dumps. To my astonishment I hear you are commenced aflaming Liberty Boy, is it possible  who deserves the name of Oliver now James? For Gods sake dont let pique, or passion lead you to abet a set of as worthless miscreants as ever existed, but I beg your pardon I am saying two much when I know so Little, therefore shall only add whatever your politlcal Tenets are I never can be less your Affect. Friend

N. B. A poor Devil blown from the Northward loaded with Fruit & Cyder got in here by a miracle. The Men of war would not take the advantage of his misfortunes, but as we did not love the people of Charles Town well enough to send them apples, we thought of our E. Florida friends, and the Governor has desired me to recommend him to your good Offices as a Merchant. The poor man means to winter with you, & pick up a few pence along shore in his Little Bark if he can. His escape was a most providential one. He will tell you his own story and give you all the news to the Northward his name is John Wan ton of the Sloop Polly & I pray God we may get him clear of this harbour. Hitherto he has had no communication with the Town. Walker the Gunner of Fort Johnston is sent with him by the Governor to help him in navigating his Vessell and I'l be obliged to you if you will shew the Gunner some little Count'nance while he stays at St Augustine, he is a rattling fellow but well affected to Government, for which your Charles Town friends Tarr'd & feather'd him some time ago. Remember me kindly . to Chamier, and God Bless you both, not one scrape of a pen from any Soul since I left England but James Mill. I had almost forgot to tell you Peter Timothy intercepted some Letters of Robin Wells to his Wife & open'd them. John Wells furnished with a large stick & the first time he met Timothy without saying a word he fell'd him to the Ground open'd his Jeans & beat him heartily to the great satisfaction of every body.

[Endorsed] Alexander Innes to Mr Penman 15 Octr 1775