Dr Sir

I have not been favoured with a Line from you since I left Edenton, the reason is plain I [did] not wr[i]te to you, therefore you are not obliged to know that I ever arrived here, I wish you had forgiven me and been less Ceremonious.

I find by Mr [Samuel] Johnstons Letter the mode you adopted in Council to get the one thing Necessary we have done the same here on a much Larger Scale, Necessity, dire Necessity induced us to make that infringment of one of our own Laws, I cannot say I approved of it my self at first, but I have altered my opinion of the matter and am now perfectly satisfied we are right, our utmost exertions in every way we could devise have hitherto proved insufficient to furnish the Necessary Supplies of powder consequently some of our movements have gone on heavily; I thank God the prospect now brightens a little, two Vessels arived yesterday from the Foreign west India Islands with each one Ton of Powder, and last night another came into the River with Six Tons more from the same quarter, the Captain of the latter says he left fifteen Vessels behind all waiting for the same precious article, that they had the fullest assurance 150 Tons of it were hourly expected at those places which had been sent for in order to supply the distressed Americans, another Vessel is also Arived in the River from old France with near 60 Tons of Salt Petre on board and I have the pleasure to inform you there is Sulpher enough in this City to work it all up ー

On thursday and fryday Last [January 4 and 5] the folowing Vessels fitted out for the protection of the United Colnies sailed from this City on a Cruise to witt

These Vessels will all be well maned and I hope get to sea in a few days ー

It is currently reported that great Britain intends to make one grand effort in the Spring to reduce the Colonies for which purpose they are to land a very large army in this province and subdue it first considering it as foremost in Rebllion, as they mean to give the land of the Rebels to the Soldiers it will be prudent to begin where land is best improved and most Valuable.