Sir,

Some time ago I had the honour to receive a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, dated the 1st February last, wherein he wrote to me, that an order was gone from the Admiralty to you, Sir, to send me one of your cruisers. It gives me the highest pleasure to acquaint you, that I now have not any occasion for any vessel of war, and I am clearly of opinion that his Majesty's service will be better promoted by the absence than the presence of vessels of war in this port. On this subject of military forces, being at present sent to this part of the Continent, I have written fully to the General, and I beg leave to refer you, Sir, to that letter, which is of equal date with this.

As I am persuaded it will be for the benefit of the service, that the Southern Governors should have early information of important transactions in your part of the Continent, I doubt not but that if you, Sir, shall be of the same opinion, you will send such by some advice boat. And if such vessel proceeds to Charlestown, my packet may there be sent on shore, and it will reach me, by a secure land conveyance by Express from the Post-Office.

Perhaps Captain [John] Tollemache may give you, Sir, some little alarm about two or three canoes from South-Carolina in this river; waiting, as report says, to take some gun powder from on board a vessel daily expected to arrive here. But, I acquaint you, Sir, that they are sent upon a smuggling party of goods into their own Colony, by private directions of their Committee. They mean to procure some gun-powder, and I shall not be displeased if under the appearance of some violence they purchase such an article ー as, it is intended to make good the contract made by Mr. Stuart and myself, with the Indians, both Creeks and Cherokees; the latter of whom will be more convenient for the Carolinians, than the people of Georgia to supply. I have the honour to be, with perfect esteem, Sir, your most humb and most obt servt.

[Endorsed by John Drayton] A facsimile signature of James Wright, was affixed to this letter, by the Secret Committee. The two original letters of Sir James Wright, [one to Gage] as well as the copies of the substitute letters, are in the possession of writer of these Memoirs.