[Extract]
My Lord 

. . . I have not been idle one hour, since the Report of the French War, and be assur'd my Lord, the French Fleet dare not attempt to enter this harbour, As I have thrown up and still continue to work, without one moments loss of time, at such Batterrey's, as I think cannot be carried, but this I have done upon the strength of a letter, I receiv'd from my good Lord Beauchamp who has assur'd me, of a Reinforcement of three Batalions, to be with me speedily—¹

All my out posts, keep their Ground, and I find Fort Howe, at the Entrance of S^t. John River to be of the utmost Consequence, with two small Arm'd Sloops,² which I have constantly cruising in the Bay of Fundy, keep all quiet; I have the Satisfaction to tell your Lordship, that Captain Fielding,³ who Commands the Navy Line, and I got Intellegence of nine Pirates being collected in Beaver Harbour, near Halifax[.] we instantly sent out two Arm’d Vessels, well mann'd with a Detachment of the Troops of this Garrison which burnt four of them, and my two little Cruisers in the Bay, took two more,⁴ so that in the course of three Weeks, we have destroyd Six that had been doing all the Wickedness, that is possible[.] Ever Since, I Commanded here, and never could prevail on any other Officer, but Captain Fielding to join me in so laudable an Exertion for the honor of our Country. I shall not trouble your Lordship further, but refer You to Lieu^t. Throlop. I have the Honor to be [&c.]