(Copy)

Sir  The People of this Colony are taking up Arms in all Parts of it, and every Species of Violence is threatned to be executed upon me, unless I restore some Gunpowder which I though it my duty to remove from a Magazine in this Town to Onboard the Fowey.

I have reason to believe that the Show which I have made of defending myself by Arming the Persons of my Family and the Assistance given me by Captain [George] Moritagu and Mr Stretch of the Fowey and Lieutenant [Henry] Collins of his Majesty's Armed Schooner [Magdalen], whose Zeal and Spirit on this occasion I take this Opportunity of acknowledging, have alone prevented hitherto, the People from putting their threats into execution, but as the Commotion is becoming hourly more general, I have thought it necessary to apply to General [Thomas] Gage for such Assistance as he may be enabled to send me; And I do likewise to You Sir, for one of the large Ships of War now under your Command, if She can be spared from other Services. Such a Ship having so considerable a body of Men Onboard, as the Rivers here have, even very high up, great depth of Water, would strike Awe over the whole Country, and a small Post Onshore under the Protection of the Guns of such a Ship would maintain itself against all the efforts which are in the power of an undisciplined Multitude to make, and would afford a Protection to the Well affected of this Country that might probably then be induced to declare themselves and unite for our common Safety. Men of such a Ship might likewise be spared to cruize in Boats or the small Craft of this Country, about the Mouths of all the Rivers to prevent, effectually, all the Contraband Trade, and particularly the Admission of Arms and Ammunition into the Colony; in short Sir, I rely upon your Zeal for his Majs Service for either this or such other Assistance as You may be in a Condition to afford me on the present emergency.

I have requested Captain Montagu to detain Lieutt Colins with the Magdalen, and I have been obliged to intreat the former Gentleman to receive Lady Dunmore and my Children Onboard his Majesty's Ship as the only place of Safety to which I could send them, which he has been so good, in the politest manner to comply with. I am, Sir, [&c.]