[Extract]
My Lord,
Since I had the honour by my letters of April and May last1 of acquainting your Lordship with the State of this Province, and the preparations to defeat the mischievous designs of the Rebels, I have exerted my utmost strength and diligence to have the Fortifications repaired and strengthened, and a naval force equiped and manned.
The ship Germain of eighteen Guns, the Brig the Dreadnought of two twenty four pounders in the Bowes, two in the Stern, all which can occasionally remove to the Broad Sides untill supplied with nines or twelves for them expected from Lord Howe, and the Galley Thunderer carrying two twenty four pounders are stationed in the Saint Johns River.2
The rebels after collecting a considerable Force and erected some Fortifications on their frontiers are advanced to Saint Marys River.
By the inclosed letters from Lieutenant Colonel Brown and Captain Shaw of the 60th. Regiment your Lordship will perceive that their numbers and strength by Land and Sea is greatly superior to ours, and that we are to expect success by the [b]lessing of God from superior Valour and conduct.3 . . .
Since the departure of the Carysfort and Galatea about the middle of May last I have not heard that there has been a King's Ship on this Station. . . . I have the honour to be [&c.]
St. Augustine 3d. July 78