Sir  From frequent accounts and informations which I receive, the Coast of this Province from Canso to Cape Sables, is much expos'd to the Insults and depredations of the New England Pirates, they began at Canso and having taken an English Schooner thereabouts, & other Vessels elsewhere (by their own accounts) the[y] proceeded to Cape Sables to a place call'd Yarmouth, where they landed; it appears from the Accounts transmitted, that there were two large Schooners each mann'd with 80 Men, who had firelocks Pistols and Cutlasses, & the Vessels Arm'd each with eight Carriage Guns, besides Swivels, after they landed they went to a part of the Town where a light Infantry Company was Collecting, & forming, and there seiz'd and took away several of the Officers belonging to it, at the same time acquainting the people in General, that if they woud remain Quiet and not oppose them they shoud not be molested. ²

On the whole this proceeding has excited such Terror in the people, that they have transmitted a Memorial requesting in Effect to be absolv'd from their Duty as Subjects, by having Liberty to be Neuter, or that they may come to Halifax, or go to New England, Alledging that they have relations there, at the same time professing their Loyalty to the King, but declaring their inability to defend themselves. And it was thereon Advis'd and Resolv'd that application should be made Sir to you, requesting that you woud Order one Ship of War to be Station'd to the Eastward in the Gut of Canso, & another to the Westward at Port Roseway, between this Harbour and Cape Sables, from this Disposition together with the two Ships Station'd in the Bay of Fundy, it is conceiv'd that the Coast may be preserv'd from Insults and Ravages, and the Inhabitants be kept in Countenance and protection. I am &c