(NO 29)

My Lord  Since my letter No. 28 dispatched by his Majesty's Schooner the Magdalen, the last Resolves of the house of Burgesses have been made publick, and I now transmit them to your Lordship in the Supplement of the publick Printers News paper (mark therein B)² the Same Supplement contains under the Williamsburg head of the 30th. of June, an Account of the proceedings of a meeting of the Inhabitants of that city "convened, by the honorable Peyton Randolph Esq," the Speaker of the house of Burgesses, "to consider of the expediency of Stationing a number of men there for the publick Safety, and to assist the Citizens in their nightly watches to guard against any surprise from their Enemies," by which no others can be meant than the kings Governor, and the kings Forces of a twenty Gun Ship and a Sloop of War, Stationed in this Colony.

In consequence of this Step of Mr. Randolphs a great number of people, horse and Foot, from various parts of the country have flocked to Williamsburg, armed and accoutred, and wearing uniforms, and, the different Companies, their badges of distinction. They have made a Barrack of the Capitol, a large building in which are held the Courts of Justices, and intended for the Council and house of Burgesses with their different offices, and they have taken possession of the Park (a Considerable piece of land adjoining and belonging to the Governors house) for their Cavalry, wantonly Cutting and maiming my Cattle which they found there.

A few days after the arrival of these Gentry a number of them broke, a Second time, into the Palace (the Governors house) and, as the first time, of which I have informed your Lordship, they went no further than taking the Arms which they found in a Hall, this time they broke open every lock of the doors of all the rooms, Cabinets and private places, and carried off a considerable number of arms of different Sorts, a large Collection, and valuable, my own property. This Violence was committed in the face of day; the leaders in it well known, and one of the principal was to Son of Mr [Robert Carter] Nicholas [III]³ the Treasurer, the Same who was lately made a controler of his Majesty's Customs; Mr Nicholas the Father and the Speaker, who now direct the proceedings of this country, were then in Williamsburg, and Consequently could not but be privy to this infamous robbery; this violation of private property, as well as atrocious outrage against the kings Authority.

The very day after this, I happened, for the only time Since I first embarked on board his Majesty's Ship, to go, in the man of wars Barge, to a Farm (my own Property) about Seven miles from Williamsburg, Situated upon a Creek which runs into York river about twelve miles above the Town of York where the Ship lay.

The Barge was observed from the Town, and it was easily conjectured where I was going; accordingly intelligence was immediately Sent to Williamsbur'g, and Just after Captain [George] Montague and I had done dinner, that Gentleman having accompanied me, we were informed by my Servants that a body of men in Arms were Seen advancing directly to the House, which we likewise Saw ourselves upon going out, and we had but Just time to get into our boat and to escape; two men, Carpenters of the Ship, whom we had brought with us in order to cut down a mast for a boat, and who were at a little distance from my house, were Seized by these people, upon my own land, and have been made prisoners, and are now confined in Williamsburg under a guard,⁴ a Servant, who got into a Canoe to follow me, a very little time afterwards, was fired at four or five different times.

Two days ago the Mercury a twenty Gun Ship arrived here to relieve the Fowey, which has been Stationed here Some time. Intelligence was given on the coast by a Pilot boat of her approach; and Mr [Archibald] Cary the Naval officer of the lower district of James river, a considerable office under Government, who is one of the most active and virulent of the Enemies of Government, immediately dispatched Expresses, to allarm the Country, representing that the Ship brought a great number of Soldiers for disembarkation, & the Speaker and Treasurer gladly Seized this pretence for infusing fresh apprehensions of threatening danger; and for enviting more people down from all parts of the colony. A detachment was immediately Sent off from Williamsburg to reinforce the company in York Town, which arrived the Same evening as the man of war; and we have now a Camp of these People behind the Town of York, not half a Cannon-Shot from the Ships; and the men are Continually parading in arms along the Shore Close to us, and at night we hear them challenge every boat or person that approaches them.

Thus my Lord the People of Virginia manifest open Rebellion by every means in their power, and they declare at the Same time that they are his Majesty's Most dutyfull Subjects, "that they will to the utmost of their power, at all times, and at risk of their lives and properties maintain and defend his Government in this Colony, as founded on the established laws and principles of the Constitution," and that as designs have never been formed against my person, but that I may, when ever I please return to my usual Resedence without the least danger; notwithstanding that my own Servants are prevented from passing with provisions which is thus cut off from me & denied to me, my people have been Carried off by the guard; while my house has been a third time rifled, and is now entirely in the possession of these lawless Ruffians.

It is necessary your Lordship Should be made acquainted, that the Fund, out of which the Salary of the Governor, and some other officers, is paid, as it arises from the duty, as your Lordship knows, upon Tobacco exported, and upon the Tonnage of all Vessels trading to the Colony, will fail entirely after the first of September next, when by the association, all exports to great Britain are to cease.⁵ I have for near two years received little or no perquisites of my office, as the collectors cannot be brought to account, but after the first of September, I shall receive neither perquisite nor Salary; I hope therefore your Lordship will acquaint me how I am to Subsist, if it be his Majesty's pleasure that his Governor remain here. It will likewise be necessary that I should be instructed in regard of what disbursements I may be allowed to make for my own accomodation; I am obliged to hire a vessel for my Servants and baggage, and, for the future, I Shall be obliged to make it my own residence, there not being room for me in the Man of War which relieves the Fowey: and I cannot but hope that the inconvenience and distress which I must necessarily go thro' in this Situation will be considered as proof of my zeal for his majesty's Service.

A Vessel must likewise be hired for the hundred men which I wrote to your Lordship I had Sent for, as no quarters can be procured for them on Shore. I hope your Lordship will give me directions how these unavoidable expenses are to be defrayed.

Your Lordships letter No 19 has been received and, by the last New York Post, a dispatch was brought to me all open. In the cover, which I hear inclose Just in the Condition as I found it, were two papers which had been taken out of a packet, likewise broke open, containing private letters which came at the Same time, and no letter of your Lordships. In a large bundle of papers which, after they had broke open, they put up in the greatest disorder without any desire to Conceal the attempt, I found a parcel of printed papers, the Speech of General [John] Burgoyne; a letter from your Lordship Signifying his majestys pleasure that the orders of the Commander in chief of the Forces, and, under him, of the Major Generals and Brigadiers, Shall be Supreme in all Cases relating to the operations of the Troops; and letters from Mr. [John] Pownal[l] inclosing the Bill for restraining the Trade of the New England Colonies, that for restraining the Trade of Virginia and other Colonies and Some other Acts of Parliament. I am unable to say whether any papers were taken away or not, but your Lordship from this account will know. I cannot find out where these packets were broke open. the Postmaster of Williamsburg denies its having been done there.

I am [&c.]

P:S: I could not Send the Duplicate of My letter No. 28 my Clerk having been made a Prisoner at Williamsburg where he is now detained ー but it shall be transmitted as soon as possible.

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