[Extract]

It appears astonishing to me that some armed Vessel has not attempted to bring in powder &c. It certainly is practicable and wants proper encouragement only to put it in execution in order some of those Privateers to all the islands, to Holland, spain give them positive instructions to bring powder, a high premium must ensue . . . I began to think we should have a campaign without action, but proposed laying hands on all his Majestic's money immediately, which proposal was readily agreed to, in which the officers waited on the proper officers ー in some Cases swore the officer most solemnly not to disburse what might be on hand, on pain of Confiscation of their whole Estate and being treated as a Traitor to the Cause. Unhappily that this, tho' all along necessary, should have been spared till almost all the money was shipped to Boston by order of the Board there; 1200 Dollars went from Jaquelin Ambler this month; large sums from other Collectors in bills &c. We collected £900 from L. Burwell; have sent detachments to wait on Corbin, &c., with positive orders for him to deliver up all his Majistie's Cash or bind his whole estate as security for his not disbursing, remitting or otherwise using one Copper, and on refusing to comply he is ordered to appear in our encampment, We have sent an Express to the Convention to sanctify our proceedings.