[Extract]
Two vessels have arrived here since the first of February one of them from Glasgow has been obliged to depart with her Cargoe to Jamaica. Neither the Master of the Ship nor the merchant to whom the Cargoe was consigned, would demand any assistance, or shewed any inclination to have the goods landed. It was not therefore possible for Government to interfere with any propriety. The second ship is from London; she still lies a few miles below the Harbour, and it is said is to carry her Cargo to Halifax. Neither the master nor owners of this shipor Cargoe, have made any application to Government. The success, my Lord, which the violent Party have had in preventing there vessels from Landing their Cargoes here, has given them great spirits, and it a strong counterpoise to the conduct of the Assembly ー Your Ldp. will beleive it has chagrined me a good deal . . .
We have had, my Lord, only one hundred men of the Royal Irish Regiment in this City for several months past, and the Kings Fisher Sloop of War in the harbour. The moderate Inhabitants have constantly expressed a wish that we had a more formidable Power in the Place to awe the licentious & encourage the freinds of Government. convinced that it would be for His Matys Service, I wrote to Admiral [Samuel] Graves on the 20th Ulto and suggested to him the utility of sending one of the large Ships from Boston to this Place. I mentioned of what consequence it would be to keep the command of Hudsons River which must be passed by the Southern People before they can join the Eastern. The Idea of their really fighting the Kings Troops, is so full of Madess and folly, that one can hardly think seriously of it ー yet my Lord a neglect of proper precautions may encourage wild enthusiasts to attempt what they would not otherwise venture upon.
Except the measures that are pursued in support of the non importation association, the people of this Province are in other respects very quiet and shew no inclination to copy the extravagant Plans of their neighbours
