Copy./

Sir./  The Inhabitants of most of the Counties of this Colony are in Commotion, and a Body of two Thousand Men are now Actually preparing to March to the Assault of my House, defended only by my self and the Persons belonging to my Family, the Occasion of which Insurrection is no greater than my having Conveyed from the Magazine in this Town the Powder which was therein (and which I thought too much exposed there to the Attempts of the People) to on Board a Man of War Stationed here, the only place of Safety where it could be lodged.ー

The Corporation of this place, have presented an Address to me under the Muskets of their Independant Company which they left only at a little distance from my house when they came to me to demand a restitution of the Powder which however I have not Complied with, And their Armed Men thought proper unexpectedly to disperse, but I have daily received fresh insults from other bodies of Armed Men appearing in Town from the Country, and am now in expectation of the Arrival of the Above mentioned People whose Numbers encourage them to persist in the Undertaking.

I have been Obliged to Send Lady Dunmore and my Children on Board the Fowey Man of War, and with the little though cheerfull Assistance given me by Captain [George] Montague and his Officers, and Lieutenant [Henry] Collins of the Magdalen Armed Schooner, Joined to the People of my own family I have put myself in the best posture of defence of which our Numbers are Capable, but cannot expect to make any effectual resistance, if as is threatened the People make very resolute efforts against us, and we shall theefore, probably be obliged to retire towards the Ship, which I shall delay as long as is prudent: but these proceedings already make the rebellious spirit of those people Sufficiently Manifest, and therefore I think it Necessary to apply to you for such immediate Assistance, as the Circumstances of the Affairs in which you are yourself engaged, and your Orders and Instructions may permit you to Afford me. Two or Three Hundred Men or even one Hundred would probably prevent my being driven out of the Government, and enable me to Maintain an Entrenched Post on the Bank of one of the Rivers under the Protection of the Guns of a Man of War, till I receive orders from Home, and by displaying the Kings Standard perhaps our Numbers might be increased, by the well affected of the Country, so as to be able to make head against the Insurgents, but without some Appearance of force to protect the first who venture to me, I despair of receiving any Assistance from the Country.

I write to the Admiral at the same time to request one of the large Ships to be sent here which would have a very good effect, if the Service in which the Men of War are engaged will permit him to give me that Support.

I am Sir, &ca