Sir

I am to desire You will please to inform their Lordships, that the Lieutenant Governor & Council of Nova Scotia, having in their Representations to me of the 28th of last Month express'd strong Apprehensions, that the Kings rebellious Subjects in the Eastern Parts of New England were about to invade, & ravage that Province, from Machias, & requesting I would take such Measures to prevent it, as shod appear to me best for the Publick Safety; — I, in consequence thereof, put to Sea on the 30th of July, with the Rainbow & Blonde under my Command, designing for Machias; but the Calms, & almost constant Fogs, made our Passage, not only very tedious, but dangerous, from the Rapidity of the Currents, (the setting of which frequently varies,) & the numerous Breakers & Shoals the entrance of the Bay of Fundy abounds with.

I was join'd by His Majesty's Ship Mermaid, off Cape Sable, & she proceeded with me to the Cranberry Islands near Mount Desart, where I anchor'd on the 10th Inst — I found the Blonde here, who had separated from me in a Fog, & the Hope Sloop, whom I had (previous to my Sailing) sent to Passamquodi for Intelligence, & directed to join me here; The Captain of the Hope confirm'd the Report of the Rebels intentions to in­vade Nova Scotia; that Magazines were establishing at Machias, & other Preparations making there for that Purpose; & likewise that a Sloop with Ammunition, Provisions, & Presents for the Indians, was lately arrived there.

I staid but a few Hours at the Cranberry Islands, & then weigh'd with the small Squadron; The Fogs & Currents however made it impossible to get into the Harbor of Machias before the 13th of August, where I anchor'd about 4 in the Afternoon with the Rainbow & Mermaid, as high up, as the Depth of Water wou'd permit: I immediately made the Signal for the Marines of each Ship, (amounting in the whole to 123,) to embark on board the Hope, which was done (with an Expedition that did Honor both to the Sea, & Marine Officers, &) without occasioning a Delay of more than a Quarter of an Hour, (for I wish'd to push the Attack as quick as possible, not only on Account of the Tide of Flood which then prevailed, but also to prevent the Enemy from assembling in too great Numbers, before the Destruction of their Magazines was accomplish'd.)

The Hope then proceeded up the River towards the Town, ac­company'd by the Ships Long boats, & a Flat bottom Boat well barricaded; The Blonde followed, but got aground at about a Mile up; She however soon floated off, but was not able from the narrowness of the Channel to get higher than 3 Miles

The Hope went on, till she was stopp'd by a Boom across the River, & a trifling Fortification, which together with the Wind coming foul, oblig'd her to Anchor; the Rebels kept up a pretty brisk Fire of Musketry upon Her, from each side of the River, & from the Fort before mentioned; at 5 o'Clock next Morning the Marines were all landed, under cover of a Fog, & drove the Rebels out of the Fort with very little Resistance, which they set Fire to & destroyed, they found only a two pounder & a Swivel in it, the rest of the Guns being on board two small Privateers who belong to Machias.

Near the Fort were three Magazines forming for the intended Invasion of Nova Scotia, & consisted of Flour, Rice, Tann'd Leather, Hides, 300 Pair of Shoes, Ammunition &c, all which were set Fire to & totally consumed, so that in all Probability the Rebels will lay aside all future Thoughts of in­vading their Neighbours, as it will take considerable Time & Expence before the Articles wanted can be re-established.

Geo Collier ²

[Endorsed] R 12 Nov