New Providence 6th September 1777.
My Lord,
On the 10th of May last I transmitted to Your Lordship Copies of the Acts of Assembly which had been passed during the last Session, together with Copies of the Journals of the Council, and of the Assembly; I at the same time did myself the Honor to write to Your Lordship, informing of the State of this place, Copy of which, together with Duplicates of the Laws, under the Seal of these Islands, and of the Journals, I now send, by the Snow Edward, Philip Brickland, bound to the port of London, packed in a Box directed to Your Lordship.
As in my first Letter to Your Lordship, after the departure of the Rebels from hence in March 1776;2 I mention'd that I had, by Express, made known to Admiral Gayton at Jamaica that the Rebels had been here, and informed him of what they had done, and requested that he would afford what Assistance he could for the defence & protection of His Majesty's Government, and to oppose the Rebels in case of any fresh Attempt on this place, it may be proper to inform Your Lordship that not having received any Aid from thence, nor Answer to my Letter to the Admiral, I thought it necessary to apply to Commodore Sir Peter Parker, on his Arrival in Carolina, who was so obliging as to write me that he should, on his arrival at New York communicate my Letter to Lord Howe, and that from His Lordship I might soon expect a sufficient Force for the protection of these Islands; but as none of His Majestys Ships or Vessels have yet come hither, and the Armed Vessels of the Rebels continue still to Infest these Islands (two belonging to South Carolina having lately attempted to come into this Harbour, with intent, as was said, to plunder or destroy the Town, and three others from the same Place having been at Harbour Island, where they burnt a Vessel) I thought it proper to address myself to The Lord Viscount Howe, and hope his Lordship will send some Vessels hither for the protection of the Inhabitants of these Islands, and the Trade of this Government as soon as His Majesty's Service will permit.
I have the pleasure to acquaint Your Lordship that I have, at length, by becoming answerable myself for the Expence, been able to put the Forts on this Island in such a state of Defence that I am under no great apprehension of Danger to this Island from the Rebels, should any of their armed Vessels again attempt to come into this Harbour. I am [&c.]
[Endorsed] Ry 14th Jany 1778.
