No 53.

My Lord  Since my last letters, by this same conveyance, We have advice by the way of Boston, that Montreal is in the hands of the Rebels, that they were assisted by the Canadians in this attempt, and supplied by them with Provisions; I have only to add, that Canada being in the hands of the Rebels, will deprive to Province of every resourse for supplying the Army, Navy, and the Inhabitants of this Colony with Bread; and the only supplies of Provision are to be had from Great-Britain, and Ireland, and your Lordship will be convinc'd of the Rectitude of the Measure of sending the quantity of Provision, to arrive here early in the Spring; which will be the safest time, and Vessels have arriv'd here the beginning of March.

My Reason for urging this Measure, is, that the Americans have fitted out Vessels of War, and have lately been cruising in these Seas, and intercepted sev eral Vessels, bound from Europe to Boston, two Arm'd Schooners were for some time in the Harbour of Canso, and carried of[f] several Vessels belonging to this Province, whose Crews landed on the Island of St John's, and carried off Mr Colebuck [Callbeck] the Commander in Chief of that Island, and several Officers of Government; and I hear a twenty Gun Ship from Philadelphia has been Cruising in the mouth of St Lawrence Gulph between Cape Breton and Newfoundland.²

In Consequence of these Hostile Invasions, I have by the Advice of His Majestys Council, proclaimed Martial Law, as I Judged it was necessary to put the whole Province in Military Array to repel these Invaders, a Copy of which Proclamation is herewith Inclos'd.

Brigadier General [Eyre] Massey is arrived after a long passage of Sixty one days: the other Transports destin'd for Canada, are gone up to attempt their relief, but I am apprehensive, the Severe Season is so far advanced, they will not be able to succeed, and should that be the Case, I hope they will be able to make this Port, which is open at all Seasons. I have the honor to be with the Greatest Respect My Lord [&c.]