[Extract]

Sir,  Mr Burrow arrived at Lord Dartmouths Office on the 13th Inst and your dispatches were immediately laid before The King. ー

As soon as it was seen that the New England provinces meditated open Rebellion and Revolt, the Security of Nova Scotia became an Object of The King's care and solicitude; directions have been repeatedly given to the Commander in Chief to attend to it, and the inclosed Extracts of Lord Dartmouth's Dispatches will shew you that it has been urged in terms that marked out the Ideas that were entertained of it's Importance ー

You will readily believe that His Majesty's apprehensions for the Safety of Halifax were not a little increased by the Intelligence We received of the people of Machias having with Impunity destroyed one of The King's Ships and made prize of another, and having without Interruption fitted out Armed Vessels to cruize in.the Bay of Fundy. ー It was therefore thought adviseable that one of the five Regiments destined to sail from Ireland for No America in the Month of September should proceed directly to Halifax, and the Transports with that Regt on board accordingly left Corke on the 27th Ulto Two other Regiments part of that Embarkation are under Order to proceed to Quebec, but if that cannot be Effected, which is likely be the Case, they will put into Halifax before they proceed to join the Army under General Howe, and the Roebuck a 40 Gun Ship which has been Sail'd more than three weeks for Halifax will be a considerable Augmentation of your Naval force. ー

The Advices however contained in your Dispatches and the Intelligence Mr Burrow brings that the Rebels from Machias had made Descents both at St Johns and Annapolis, are very alarming Circumstances and there is but too much reason to fear that some Attempts may have been made upon Halifax before you could receive any Succour either from home or from General Gage, unless the sending the Tartar into the Bay of Fundy, which was a very proper and well timed measure, should have discouraged those Invaders from proceeding any further least their Retreat should be cut off. ー

The ruinous State of the Fortifications at Halifax has been the Subject of frequent Consideration, but as the ablest Engineers who have been consulted upon it have concurred in opinion that the Harbour is too extensive and the Advantages of Attack too many to admit of any regular effectual Plan, all Ideas of that Kind have been laid aside. ー

It is judged proper however upon the present Occasion to direct that some Works upon a temporary plan of defence should be constructed for the Security of the King's Naval Yard and the Board of Ordnance will by this Conveyance send out Orders to that Effect to the principal Engineer at Halifax or if there be none there, an Engineer will take his passage in the Packet. which is specially appointed to convey this Letter. I am [&c.]