No 49

My Lord  In my last letter Copy of which is now inclos'd,² I inform'd your Lordship of the intention of the Rebels to Attack Canada, and this Province, We have by the last advices from Boston been inform'd that the Rebels who enter'd Canada by the Lake Champlaine in attempting the Fort at St Johns on the River Sorrell have been repuls'd with great loss.

The great care of Admiral Graves in Stationing several Frigates in the Bay of Fundy has hitherto prevented the Rebels from their design'd Attempt, and as he proposes to Station two Ships of War for the securing the Navagation of that Bay, I hope their Attempts will prove abortive, in the meah time I shall neglect no oppertunity of providing for the defence of the Colony, two Companies of Accadians are form'd in the Neighbourhood of Annapolis [Royal], and I have given orders to form two more in the Neighbourhood of Chignecto of Accadians, also, and one Company of the Inhabitants of this Town under the name of light Infantry, and as the House of Assembly (who have now under Consideration the ways and means of raising money for the defence ofthe Province) shall enable me to support and maintain the Militia. I shall endeavour to form as many Companies as the Province will afford, but I am of opinion, that through the poverty of the Country the want of Specie among them, the great Burthen of their Debts, the levies of money which will be slow, and ineffectual to answer the purpose, and if matters should be brought to Extreme necessity, I shall be obligd to draw on the Treasury at Home for discharging the immediately necessary expence. I shall be extreme carefull on this head, as nothing shall induce me to such measures but the necessity there wil be of preserving this Colony, from whence His Majesty's Army and Navy has at present their supplies of Wood, Timber, Sundries, Picketts Fresh Provisions &ca. and cannot otherwise be supplied.

I have sent expresses to St Johns River, to endeavour to engage the Indians of this Province on the part of the Crown, shoud it succeed it will be attended with some expence, and as there is no fund established for such exigency's, I shall be necessitated to draw for the same. unless this measure be adopted, as the Americans are trying every means to gain them over to their party, we shall not only lose the benefit of them for our own defence, but shoud they gain them to take up Arms against us, they woud be more formidable to the settlers here than an Army of Americans.

I cannot but observe to your Lordship, that tho' I have ever since the Rebels have meditated this design, press'd General Gage to reinforce this Colony under these alarming Circumstances, I coud procure no relief; till within these few days, two Companies of the 14th are arrived, and about seventy of the Royal Fencible Americans and by a Return from Colonel [Joseph] Gorham of the State of the Troops here at present, tho the whole number consist of 390: no more than 126 are return'd fit for duty ー

The Engineer Captain [William] Spry is now employ'd in preparing some Temporary works for the Security of the Yard, and I am of opinion if this disturbance in America continues, it will be a necessary measure to erect some Fortifications for the security of the Town, as it will then serve as an arsenal of Stores for the Army and Navy in America.

I beg leave to inclose to your Lordship my Speech to the General Assembly, and their Address to me, and as soon as they shall have finish'd the business before them shall transmit the Laws & proceedings relative thereto.

I have also inclosd to your Lordship an Address from both Houses, relative to the impressing of Seamen, this has been of disadvantage to the Trade, and if an Indulgence coud be permitted it woud tend greatly to the benefit of the Trade & West India Islands. I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect My Lord [&c.]