Sir,

Some time ago I had the honour to receive a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, dated the 1st of February last, wherein he wrote me that an order was gone from the Admiralty to you, Sir, to send me one of your cruisers, but none is yet arrived ー nor have I heard any thing of it since. And I am now to acquaint you, that four or five boats, from the South-Carolina side, of our inlet, have been here for ten or twelve days past, full of armed men ー it is said near one hundred. We expect a vessel from London every day, with a considerable quantity of gunpowder on board and report says, that these people mean to take it out, and carry it away; and it is not in my power to prevent it. And thus you see, Sir, that our port may, and in short is, blocked up by our neighbours, and that they have it in their power to plunder any thing, that arrives here, and do just what they please. I hope, therefore, that you will be kind enough to give such immediate assistance, as may be in your power, to prevent such insults, and attempts, as I have mentioned.

Pardon me, Sir, for saying that an armed schooner will be of little use; or any thing less, than a sloop of war of some force, and which, from Lord Dartmouth's letter, I have been long expecting, and impatiently looking out for.

I doubt not but the situation we are in will strike you in such a light, that you will see the propriety of immediate assistance.

Another matter seems to be also necessary for his Majesty's service; viz. frequent accounts from yourself, and General Gage, with respect to the state of affairs, your way ー as I find it has the greatest influence on the conduct and proceedings of the people here, And I have no way by which this can be done, unless you are pleased to send it by some of his Majesty's vessels under your command.

I have the honour to be, with perfect esteem, Sir, your most ob. and most humble serv[ant].

[Endorsement by John Drayton] The above Letter was withdrawn from the envelope, and the following was substituted in its place by the Secret Committee [of Charleston, South Carolina].