No 60.

My Lord I wrote you a few days since inclosing therewith several Memorials from the Inhabitants of Cumberland, from which it will appear to your Lordship, the Disposition of the Inhabitants, and how little dependence can be relied on from thence, for the Security and defence of this Province, which Disposition is become more General, and Spreading over all the Settlements, that are principally compos'd of Americans.

I was inform'd by Advice received yesterday that the Inhabitants of Cumberland have had several Meetings, and are entering into Associations of a Treasonable & dangerous nature, no less than inviting an Army of Americans into this Province, and they give out, that Canada is in their possession, and that an Armament will come from thence, and land in this Province, in that part of the Country bordering on the Gulph of St Lawrence.

I have laid these matters before His Majesty's Council, and a Copy of their proceedings thereon, together with several Intelligencies receiv'd is herewith Transmitted, it being their Unanimous opinion that the Fort at Cumberland shoud as soon as the Season will possibly permit, be Garrison'd with at least three hundred men. I shall accordingly make application to General [Eyre] Massey to supply the Troops necessary for that purpose.

I beg leave to observe to your Lordship, That if Quebec is in the Enemies hands, they will thereby become possess'd of One Frigate, one Sloop of War, and the Gaspee Brigt and that it will require a number of Frigates to be early in the Spring in the Gulph St Lawrence to disconcert such an Expedition, and shall accordingly write to Admiral Shulden [Shuldham] by a Vessel that Sails tomorrow. That he may have it in his power timely to disconcert such a measure.

We have had no Intelligence from Boston this six Weeks which may have been owing to that Harbours being block'd up with Ice, as we have had a very Severe Season, this Harbour was shut up for a day or two, but is now open and clear of Ice.

The Importance and Critical Situation of this Colony I have represented to our Lordship, and woud only Suggest at this time, that as in all probability Troops will be sending to Boston to reinforce the Army, as they must all pass by this Port, within a few Leagues, shoud they be order'd to call in here, in their passage, they may be a means of saving this Province out of the Enemies hands for from every Intelligence, I find the Rebels will most surely attempt us early in the Spring. I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect [&c.]