Gentlemen

In compliance with your request we give you a candid Relation of the Disturbance which happend last Week in this City about the removal of the Powder from the Public Magazine. Early on Friday morning [April 21] the Inhabitants were universally and much alarmed at the Report that the Powder had been removed the preceding Night under an Escort of Marines and carried on board an Armed Vessel at Burwell's Ferry. The Common Hall assembled and presented the address which we presume you have seen with the Governors Answer. The Inhabitants were so much exasperated that they flew to their Arms; This incensed the Governor a good deal and from every thing we can learn was the principal Reason why his Answer was not more explicit and favourable. His Excellency has repeatedly assured several Respectable Gentlemen that his only motive in Removing the Powder was to secure it, as there had been an alarm from the County of Surry which at first seem'd too well founded, tho it afterwards proved Groundless; besides what he has said in his Public Answer, he has given private assurances to Several Gentlemen, that the Powder shall be Return'd to the Magazine, tho he has not condescended to fix the Day for its Return. So far as we can Judge from a Comparison of all Circumstances, The Governor considers his Honor as at Stake; he thinks that he acts for the best and will not be compell'd to what we have abundant Reason to believe he would Cheerfully do, were he left to himself ー Frequent Messages have been sent from the Neighbouring Counties to enquire into the State of this unfortunate affair with the most friendly and Spirited offers of assistance and Protection. The City could not but hold themselves exceedingly obliged to those Gentlemen as they do to you Gentlemen, and the rest of our Worthy Country Men, by whom we understand you are sent, We hope that you and the other Gentlemen can have no doubt of our paying the utmost attention to the Country's Interest as well as our own Security in particular. If We then may be permitted to advise, it is our opinion and most earnest request that Matters may be quieted for the present at least; we are firmly persuaded that perfect Tranquility will be Speedily Restored; by pursuing this Course we foresee no Hazard or even inconvenience that can ensue; whereas we are apprehensive, and this we think upon good Grounds that violent measures may produce effects, which God only knows the consequence of.

We beg that our thanks and best Wishes may be presented to the several Gentlemen of this Country who have interested themselves in our Behalf and are Gen: [&c.]