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Sir  From undoubted Authority we receiv'd here this day Morning ー the very disagreeable Intelligence that in the Night of Thursday last Capt [Henry] Collins Commander of one of his Majesty's Sloops of War by ー Command of his Excellency the Governor assisted by a Company of Marines carried off all the powder from the Magazine in the City of Williamsburg & deposited it on board his Vessell which lay at Burwell's fferry, about five miles below the City.

The said Authority informs us that the Corporn of the City of Wms burg addressed the Govr on that occasion The people had received no Satisfaction nor are they likely to recover the powder tho' it is so very necessary for the security of the Country.

This being a day of Meeting the independt Co of this Town, they considered it necessary, to take the Matter into serious Considn and are come to an unanimous Resolution that a Submission to so arbitrary an Exertion of Government may not only prejudice the common Cause by introducing a suspicion of a defection of this Colony from the noble pursuit but will encourage the tools of despotism to commit further Acts of Violence in this Colony and more especially subject the Arms in the Magazine to the same fate of the powder.

In these sentiments this Compy could but determine that a Number of public spirited Gentn should embrace this opporty of showing their Zeal in the grand Cause by marching to ー Wmsbg to enquire into this Affair and there to take such steps as may best answer the purpose of recovering the powder & securing the Arms now in the Magazine to this End they have determined to hold themselves in readiness to march from this place as light horse on Saturday Morning and in the mean time [su]bmit the Matter to the determn of yours & the neighbouring Counties whom Expresses are purposely forwarded  We address you in the [na]me of our Co as their Officers & are Sir yr very hble Servt