Sir,

Since writing you yesterday, I find upon inquiry, that the summons referred to in your letter, was sent from a number of gentlemen who are freeholders, and compose the Committee of the County of Norfolk, and are therefore entirely without the jurisdiction of the magistrates of this corporation. I can only promise, that as the place of meeting for the purpose of considering Mr. Sprowle's conduct is said to be within the limits of this Borough, I will take proper care that he shall not be molested or injured in his person by any riot or mob, if he thinks fit to attend on the committee. With respect to the treatment that Mr [John] Schaw received, I was a stranger to it till the disturbance was over; but can assure you, as soon as he put himself under the protection of a magistrate, he was secured from danger.

The conduct which you are pleased to explain to me, as Chief Magistrate of this borough, as your intention to pursue in preserving peace and obedience to the laws, in the station assigned you by his Majesty, must be commended by every good man: By that care in your department, particularly in discouraging the elopement of slaves, which of late it is notorious has frequently happened, from the countenance shown them by some enemies to this colony, as well as to the British constitution, much mischief and confusion may be prevented. Your suggestion, that gentlemen are in danger, by supplying His Majesty's Ships, &c. in this colony with provisions, I cannot account for. I am very sure the contractors for the navy in this town are under no apprehensions of danger, as they have been assured to the contrary in the most explicit manner. I hope suspicions of this nature, prejudicial to the loyalty of a number of inhabitants, who are as much attached to the just prerogative of their Sovereign as any subjects in the Empire, may not be hastily taken up and adopted without full and satisfactory proof.

I am much obliged by your favourable opinion of my readiness to concur in the suppression of all animosities: It has hitherto been, and I trust ever will be, the tenour of my conduct. I have always found the authority of the magistracy sufficiently competent for the maintenance of government and good order; and while I t,hank you for your cheerful offers of assistance for that laudable purpose, yet I presume your intention is only to act within the line of your department. I confess I feel myself somewhat astonished at the last paragraph of your letter, which seems to me to imply a threatening that would eventually prove destructive to the persons and properties of his Majesty's subjects. A personal insult offered to an individual, by the ill-guided zeal of a number of thoughtless youth, can never justify a hint of this nature. At any rate it is to be presumed, that Gentlemen. in military departments will not intermeddle in that capacity, unless particularly required by the civil authority; as I am determined, whenever I find any unlawful combinations or persecutions to prevail within the sphere of my jurisdiction, to take every legal method to suppress them. I have nothing further to add, but the strongest assurances of the earnest desire of the inhabitants of this borough to live in the most perfect harmony with the Gentlemen of the navy, and hope that no little incident may interrupt it.

Sir your [&c.]