[Extract]

I have considered the Papers you left with me Yesterday; those of them which relate to [Ichabod] Jones shew him to be a malignant & inveterate Enemy to his Country and I trust he will meet with his Deserts; but I have such various & important Matters requiring my constant Attention that I must beg Leave to refer him and all others under Similar Circumstances to the Authority of the Province for punishment & safe Custody . . . As to the Expedition proposed against Nova Scotia by the Inhabitants of Machias, I cannot but Applaud their Spirit and Zeal, but after considering the Reasons offer'd for it, there are Several Objections occur which seem to me unanswerable. I apprehind Such an Enterprize inconsistent with the General Principle upon which the Colonies have proceeded That Province has not acceeded, it is true, to the Measures of Congress; & therefore they have been excluded from all Commercial Intercourse with the other Colonies; But they have not commenc'd Hostilities against them, nor are any to be apprehended ー To attack them therefore is a Measure of Conquest rather than Defence, & may be attended with very Dangerous Consequences ー It might perhaps be easy with the Force propos'd to make an Excursion into the Province & overawe those of the Inhabitants who are Inimical to our Cause & for a short time prevent the Supplying the Enemy with Provisions ー but the Same Force must Continue to produce any lasting Effects ー As to the furnishing Vessells of Force; You Gentlemen will Anticipate me in pointing out our Weakness & the Enemy's Strength at Sea ー There wou'd be great Danger that with the best Preparation we could make, they would fall an easy Prey either to the Men of War on that Station or Some who would be Detach'd from Boston ー I have been thus particular to Satisfy any Gentlemen of the Court who should incline to adopt the Measure: I could offer many other Reasons against it, some of which I doubt not will suggest themselves to the Hon: Board ー But it is unnecessary to enumerate them when our Situation as to Amunition absolutely forbids our Sending a Single Ounce out of the Camp at presentー

I am Gent &c