[Extract]

Your letter of the 29th renders it necessary for me to tell you, that some time before I left Charlestown I had received information of a design to seize my person; and in order to give colour to such a step, a report was industriously propagated of my having sent to call down the Indians. Immediately after my removal from Charlestown to my plantation on Lady's Island, it was reported, that in consequence of my orders, thirty-four families on the frontiers had been murdered by the Cherokees. When I was at Georgia, I had information that Captain [John] Joyner and Mr. [John] Barnwell, two members of the Provincial Congress, had returned to Beaufort; where, by most defamatory reports and insinuations, they endeavoured to blacken my character, and render me obnoxious to the people; giving out that my having called down the Indians was proven before the Congress; that great quantities of arms and ammunition were shipped for me to arm the Negroes and Indians, and that it was now discovered that I had sold Fort London, and was the instrument of getting the garrison massacred; and Captain Joyner showed at the public muster-field, in St. Helena, printed bills, containing the above, and other false accusations.

From thence they went to Savannah, and in the night had a meeting with the Committee, of which Sir James Wright gave me notice early next morning, and advised me to take steps for the security of my person. I accordingly prevailed upon Captain [William] Grant, of the St. John, armed schooner, to land me at St. Augustine, where the business of my department called me. But before I embarked, I saw some of the members of the Committee, and read to them some part of my correspondence with my Deputies, which they communicated to you. They candidly told me that the people were much enraged; and they could not answer for the safety of my person. I then thought it high time to provide for my safety; and went on board the St. John, armed schooner, at Cockspur.

I have since been informed, that two boats were sent down the river in pursuit of me; and from the schooner I saw several armed canoes, said to be commanded by Captain Joyner and Mr. Barnwell, who, before they left Beaufort, gave out they were to receive and conduct me back to Charlestown. The armed schooner, however, proceeded the next day for this place, where I landed in a very weak condition; and this, gentlemen, you are pleased to call a precipitate departure, though I shall ever consider it as a most fortunate escape.

I am, Gentlemen, [&c.]

To William Henry Drayton, James Parsons, John Lewis Gervais, Arthur Middleton, William Tennent and Thomas Heyward, Jun., Esquires