[Extract]
No 22.
My Lord, A Sloop arrived on Sunday morning, with Dispatches from the Earl of Dunmore, and General Gage, to send forthwith a detachment of Sixty Men to the Earl of Dunmore at Williamsburg in Virginia.
The Troops were in a few hours, ready to imbark, but the Commander of the Sloop, represented that the Vessel wanted some Carpenters work to be done, before she could receive the Troops, which are now finished, His Majestys Troops are now going on Board. They will sail directly. I have sent your Lordship by them very important dispatches.
The Ordnance Stores are not yet arrived, I am, my Lord in some apprehensions about them. The Phillipa Cap. Maitland, bound here, and afterwards to Georgia, has been taken off the Bar at Georgia, by one of the Rebels Cruisers, and Carried to Savannah, the powder she had for the Merchants of this Place, six Guns which the Rebels have secured.
I am told, Carolina and Georgia have fitted out some Cruisers, one of ten Guns.
I wish the Ordnance stores and Gunpowder may arrive safe, I am quite impatient about them. . . .
St Augustine 21. July. 75
No 23.
My Lord; Doran, who is mentioned in Mr William Henry Draton's [Drayton] letter, Gave this moment this intelligence.
That he saw delivered at Charlestown in Carolina, a number of Sugar Hogsheads, that actually came from Jamaica, that, the Hogsheads were filled all with Gunpowder, that he actually saw the Hogshead open, and the Gunpowder, and could have bought as much of it as he pleased, if he had imagined Gunpowder was wanting here; that it has been constantly run from Jamaica to Charlestown, in that way, and from many other of the West India Islands.
We shall be in great distress for powder, if our Ordnance stores do not come safe to this port.
I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect [&c.]
St Augustine 21. July. 75
Pat. Tonyn