[Extract]

Sir,  The following Information, being gathered from intercepted Letters and other authentic testimony, we beg leave to lay the same before you; and hope you will judge it deserving the most serious Attention and lay the same before the Congress.

That Lord Dunmore on the 14th Instant with a party of Regulars and a number of Volunteers Inhabitants of Norfolk had attacked a party of provincials near Kemps Landing when the latter retreated with the loss of a few Men killed and taken, amongst whom is Colo Joseph Hutchings made Prisoner; ー that his Lordship had erected the Kings Standard in Norfolk; and proclaimed all Slaves free who would join him and take up Arms; ー that a number of about two hundred Slaves immediately joined him, and were furnished with Arms and ---- cro[w]ding to him when the Advice came from thence; ー that the Inhabitants of Norfolk and princess Anne had every one appeared, and taken an Oath of which the inclosed paper No 1 is a Copy in so much says the Writer that "Treason had not one Abetter in the extensive County of princess Anne;" that on the 18th forty Volunteers and forty Soldiers set off to take possession of the great Bridge and that 100 Men were to join them from princess Anne headed by Colo Jacob Ellegood; ー that Colo Willoughby had ordered in all the princess Anne Militia, and that the Governour was at the head of 1200 Men and it was expected in a few Days would have at least 2000 all determined to guard the passes to Norfolk and princess Anne Counties . . . His Lordships landed Force, exclusive of the Norfolk and princess Anne Volunteers and the Negroes, is now considerable: His naval force at present consists of four Ships from 16 to 22 Guns each, and a number of Sloops, Schooners and Boats; his small Vessels are often scattered and at a Distance from the Ships; and since he has attempted Expeditions on Shore, we learn that part of the Men belonging to the vessels are often absent from their Duty on Board.

Virginia, Northampton County 25th Novembr 1775