[Extract]

Since my former Letters to your Lordship the continual reports of the People designing to make themselves Masters of Fort Johnston, & Captain [John] Collet's just and well grounded Representations that he would not pretend to hold the place, with only three or four men that he could depend upon, against a multitude said to be collecting to attack it, determined me to dismount the Artillery that is considerable in value, and to lay it under cover of the Cruizer's Guns. I have also my Lord withdrawn the little remainder of the Garrison, with the shot, and movable Stores, and shipped them on Board the vessel lately arrived from Boston, to take a lading of Naval Stores here, pursuant to a Charter party, but the person to whom she is addressed having refused to load her, because she had been employed as a Transport in the King's Service to carry artillery to Boston, the Master as a matter of favour to me, has received the remnant of the Garrison of Fort Johnston, and some of its Stores on Board, while he lays here to accomplish the Days of his Charter Party engagement, after which if no change of circumstances happens in the mean time, I shall think it necessary to engage the Vessel in the King's Service, for the purpose above mentioned, in which I hope your Lordship will hold me justified.²

Fort Johnston My Lord, is a most contemptible thing, fit neither for the place of Arms, or an Asylum for the friends of Government, on account of the weakness and smallness of it, so that the keeping of it is of little consequence, and the Kings Artillery which is all that is good about it, will be as well secured under cover of the Cruizer's Guns, at less charge, as upon the Walls of that little wretched place; if I could furnish it with a sufficient Garrison, which I could now only collect out of the Highlanders upon whom, by drawing forth a number of them for such a service, I should immediately turn the resentment of the whole Country, before they are provided with the means of defence, and by that step perhaps frustrate my best and fairest expectations, formed upon the strength and good dispositions of that people in this Colony. A further cogent reason with me for disarming Fort Johnston was, that its Artillery, which is heavy might in the hands of the Mob, be turned against the King's Ship and so annoy her as to oblige her to quit her present station which is most convenient in all respects.