(Copy)

Sir,  Since I had the honor to write you of the [20th] instant, the weather has continued excessively severe, I have however conferred twice with Captain [Andrew] Barkley and Lieutt [Henry] Mowat of His Majesty's Ships Scarborough & Canceaux upon the best means of securing the King's service & Servants in this Town, from any sudden attack, which may be too reasonably apprehended from the present disposition of the many People in the Country, Who, having already broken into outrage, in the late assaults upon the Castle are under less restraint, & more implicitly devoted to the will and orders of the faction in Boston. Reprisals having been recommended by the Continental Congress,² I am convinced a Plan has been concerted to that purpose, which rests only untill any movement on the part of Government is made in Boston, or any malignant view of opposition, shall spring their latent designs into action. In which case, I apprehend, the two Ships already here, would be insufficient for protection, from the extent and form of this River; but that if one Sloop of War was added, with Fifty additional Marines, The whole Service would be exceedingly advanced, and with eminent usefulnes. Without which aid, or at least the Marines, it is almost positively certain, that only the Fort Wm & Mary can be safely covered, and that all the Town will be exceedingly exposed. Those Ships may be so disposed in good Water, out of the Tide and Ice, and distant from Wharves, where they might come to sail with any Wind from N.West to S.West, and be at Sea in forty minutes, with a moderate breeze.

I cannot conclude without expressing my Sensibility of Captain Barkley's and Mr Mowat's constant alacrity & readiness in the most obliging manner to co-operate with me in the King's service, which yields me the amplest assurance, that I shall receive Evry assistance practicable, from the Ships under their Command.

I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect and Regard, Sir [&c.]