No. 37.

My Lord; A boat dispatched by Lord William Campbell with advice of two armed Pilotboats cruising off Charlestown Bar to intercept the Packets, his Lordship has also made a demand of Ordnance Stores and Provisions, and desired the dispatch Boat might be supplied with Provisions untill her return to Carolina with the Saint Lawrence Schooner, Captain [John] Graves at the same time received an Order to join the Tamer with the Saint Lawrence, Lord William writing to me to the same effect.

Our Situation my Lord, was at this time particular.

An alarm on the Coast of Rebel Vessels cruising upon it.

Captain Graves represented, he could not proceed to Charlestown, untill he had repaired and put on the false Keel of the Saint Lawrence which he had lost by running on Ground in his passage from Augustine to Saint John River.

Before we had heard of Cruisers on this Coast, it was determined for the Saint Lawrence, to sail directly to Augustine to repair; but it was apprehended, if the Schooner went out of Saint John River, a rebel Cruiser might come in, and defeat our meeting with the Creek Indians. Therefore I wrote to Captain Graves, a copy of which, I have the honour to enclose to your Lordship, ² as also a copy of the demand signed by Captain [Edward] Thornbrough to ammunition and Provisions.

The Army Contractor had wrote to me, that it would be a month before the bread could be ready, as it was all to bake, no Ships biscuit being in Augustine.

Things being thus circumstanced, it was thought best, to detain the Saint Lawrence on the Indian Service, afterwards to get her dispatched with all Speed, as no time was losing while the bread was preparing.

In the interim my Lord, the Diligence Packetboat from Pensacola arrived with a division of the three Companies of the 16th Regiment. She was bound with the mail for Charlestown.

Thus informed my Lord, was it possible I could permit the Diligence to proceed without the Saint Lawrence.

I wrote to Captain Clerk [Arthur Clarke] not to go to Sea untill the Saint Lawrence went, that Captain Graves would take the diligence in convoy.

Captain Clerk represented the Packet was navigated by contract, he could not comply unless paid demurrage, every days detention was exactly so much loss to him. I told him, if it was right that he should be paid demurrage, as it seemed unreasonable to put him to an extraordinary private expence, I should certainly let your Lordship know the case, and would engage, justice should be done. For it was far better that demurrage should be paid, than His Majesty's Packet be taken by rebel Cruisers. Captain Clerk wrote the letter I have the honour to enclose to your Lordship, ³ and his charge or demurrage. With great submission to your Lordship, I apprehend you will not my Lord disaprove of these measures. I flatter myself the bad circumstances of the times, will Justify the measures and reconcile to your Lordship, to direct, that the post Office may take this matter into consideration, and grant Captain Clerk such relief, as he has a just claim to.

The quantity of Provisions agreeable to Captain Thornbrough's demand could not be sent, but what we had not enough in one article was made up by another, so that, upon the whole supply, they have the full quantity to answer the intention.

There being no Agent for His Majesty's navy in this Province, I was obliged to take up this business that His Majesty's service might not suffer: I directed the Contractor for the Army to provide the provisions.

I have the honour to enclose to your Lordship the account of provisions for His Majestys Ships Tamer and Cherokee, sent by Captain Graves and beg your Lordship will give such directions as may be thought proper, that the Commissioners for victualling His Majesty's Navy, may Honour the bills I have drawn on the Navy Board for the amount Viz £230..4..1.

I had the honour in a former letter to inform your Lordship that in Georgia they are meditating to invade this Province, I can now repeat the intelligence, that the intention of hostilities against this Province grows daily more certain, and that it is now in some degree past a doubt, the Regiment I mentioned they are to raise, is to consist of six hundred Men, Blank Commissions are sent from the rebel Continental Congress, which are filled up by the rebel Georgia Congress.

I have also enclosed for your Lordships satisfaction an account of the Ordnance Stores issued for His Majesty's Ships Tamer and Cherokee.

The last letter I had the honour to receive from your Lordship, is dated 5. July 75 No 9.

People begin to flow into this Province for Protection, several have been here, and are returned, both to Carolina and Georgia in order to bring away their property, if they can possibly do it at any risk, the accounts they give of oppression confusion and distraction is my Lord past all credit.

I have the honour to be with the greatest respect, my Lord [&c.]

Right Honourable The Earl of Dartmouth

[Endorsed] St Augustine 14th Jany 1776 Govr Tonyn (No 37) R/3d June.
(7 Inclosures) Entd

[Enclosure]

Ordnance Stores and Provisions wanting to supply His Majestys Ships Tamar and Cherokee at Charlestown South Carolina

Ordnance Stores ー
Powder, one Thousand two Hundred and Fifty Pounds ー
Six pound Cartridges or paper three Hundred ー
Match, two Hundred pounds ー
Paper for Musquet Cartridges two Quires ー
Provisions ー
Bread	Four Thousand Pounds
Beef	Four hundred		Pieces
Pork	Four hundred
Butter	Six hundred pounds
Pease, Rice or Oatmeal	Twenty five Bushels
Rum	Three hundred Gallons

(Sign'd) Edw^d Thornbrough