[Extract]
(Copy.)
Sir.—

. . . By our last advices the body of Carolina and Georgian troops, reported to be two thousand two hundred and fifty men who were coming to invade this Province have halted on the other side of the Altamaha river,¹ the preparations with the Augmentation of our Forces I suppose has deterred them from proceeding in their opperations, my intentions was to let them advance as far as S^t. Mary and by no means to save them any trouble, there we should have begun to oppose them and disputed our ground every step, Governor Tonyn's Rangers was to have opposed their passage over that river and were to be supported by about two hundred and fifty loyal Carolinians part of them Light horse Men, Commanded at present by Major Prevost of the Second Battalion of the Sixtieth Regiment who with great trouble and perseverance has embodied and introduced a little order and discipline amongst them,² the retreat of this body was secured by a small Fortification on the NorthSide of the river S^t. John, and that post by an armed Vessel; on the southside of this river I have erected Batteries at such places as it was probable or practicable for them to cross the river, supported by two detachments of the Regulars, and ten Miles behind them, I proposed taking post with all the Men from this Garrison, leaving only the number to Garrison the Fort,—this last body would be so situated as to be able to secure the retreat of the whole, or to fall upon them whenever they should attempt to form—In that situation I expect (should they still persist in advancing) to retard their March, and if the Naval force prepared by Governor Tonyn be properly stationed in the river,³ than I am perswaded they will do little or no hurt to the Province as what is between S^t. Mary and S^t. John was abandoned before I came here;

I have besides a number of Negroes employed to repair the Lines, making of Redoubts and finishing the Outworks of the Fort, in short I hope to oblige them to make a Siege, consequently to bring heavy Artillery which is very troublesome, if they cannot effect to bring it by Water. 

Your Excellency must be persuaded that those things are attended with unavoidable expences altho' I have not as yet received the money. I had reason to expect in July last, but now hope to receive it soon as also provisions very much wanted and without which so great a number of Men cannot be supported [to] work and do their Duty. I have the honor to be [&c.]

P:S. As I have been disappointed in sending my letters by Captain Jordan in the Galatea as he was under Sail before I heard of his intended departure,⁴ I shall defer sending the Returns.—