Sir

I did my self the Honour to write your Excellency the 31^st. past¹ to inform you of an American Privateer going into the Harbour of S^t Laurence² plundering the stores of a Jersey employ & Carrying away there Vessel to S^t Peters³ the same privateer went to Harbour Britain⁴ on the 30^th plunder'd the Stores of a Poole & Jersey Merchants took two Brigs out of the Harbour and Carried them into S^t Peters—the Merchants of Burin & Mortier sent their Vessels in here as the[y] dayly expect to be Visited by the same Privateer or her consorts a snow & a schooner which they are inform’d are Cruizing between Cape Race Cape S^t Marys & S^t Peters—Hope your Excellency will take into consideration the defenceless state of this part of the Island—the sight of a Kings Ship would be of Great service to the trade, as S^t. Peters is so near us—the American Privateers in one nights Sail are at the Mouths of our Harbour & get information at S^t. Peters of every Vessel in the Western harbours—the trade of this part of [the] Island will be greatly injured if no Kings Ship does not soon appear for our protection 

I thought it my duty to give your Excellency this Information by the first Conveyance & should have sent a Boate but meeting with one going directly to S^t Johns—I am with the most profound Respect Sir [&c.]