[Extract]
No. 53

My Lord  Since Writing my Last of the 8th Inst. Capt. [Richard] Maitland Arrivd²  the Warlike Schooner fitted out as Mentioned before went to Sea and met with the Ship about 4 Leagues from the Bar Conductd her in & then took out all the Gun Powder on Board Amounting to about Six Tons as the Capt. tells me and which is now in the Hands of the Liberty People here who Forcibly Hold it against the Owners. The Capt. is going to make a Protest against them which if done before the Vessel (by which this is to go) Sails, I shall send Your Lordship a Copy of it for your more Particular Information. I am also to Acquaint Your Lordship that the Sandwich Packet Arrivd at Charles Town on the second Inst. When Your Lordship's Letters and those from Mr. Pownall & indeed every Letter directed to me both Public & Private was seized upon & opend in Charles Town & on the Evening of the 8th Inst. I receiv'd them seald up again by the Deputy Post Master General in Charles Town and Indors'd thus "Opened by the Committee of Inspection at Charles Town" G. Roupell . . .

Mr. [James] Habersham is gone to Philadelphia for the recovery of his Health and I begin to think a King's Governor has little or no business here.