My Lord

I have the honor to receive the public despatches of October 16th last No 20 with his Majesty's Instructions for forming a Regiment for the defence of Nova Scotia, signed by your Lordship. I shall exert myself to the utmost of my ability to carry the same into execution.

The great care and attention his Majesty has expressed, for the preservation of this Province, must fill the minds of every friend to His Majesty and Government with the greatest gratitude. From information I have received from every Quarter, the destruction of the Province has most certainly been the meditated design of the rebels, and five thousand men have been allotted by the Congress for that purpose, but providentially the small pox in the Town of Halifax and the Ships of War as Convoy to the Transports loading at the Ports in the Bay of Fundy has been the means of delaying their intended expedition hitherto and I am in hopes, the Winter being now set in and the navigation of the Bay at such a season extremely hazardous and dangerous, will prevent any attempt this Winter. The arrival of the twenty seventh Regiment, with the Recruits of Gorham's and McLean's Regiment, has greatly altered the Military appearance in this Province and I hope will tend to insure its safety. I have &c