My Lord,

I have had the Honour to receive your Lordship's Letter of the 1st of May and see with Concern the unwarrantable and lawless proceedings of the people of Virginia, and the Danger your Lordship is exposed to by endeavouring to support his Majesty's just Authority amongst an ungrateful and rebellious people.

The action of the 19th of April, of which I inclose your Lordship a printed Account, has hitherto had the worst consequences to the King's Authority in this and the neighbouring Provinces. In fact the Rebellion is general: The Proceedings of the Governments of Rhode Island and Connecticut and the Committees of New York, Pensilvania, Jerseys and Philadelphia leave no Room to doubt their being of the same Mind with the Rebels of this Province: They are actually making the most vigorous preparations for War.

The Town of Boston is shut up by the Rebel Troops, whose advanced Centinels are within a few paces of ours. There is no communication by Land. The Rebels prohibiting every thing from being brought into Boston under pain of Death. The Inhabitants with their Effects are leaving the Town by permission, and it is generally believed that when they are all out, the Rebels will attack the Town; The General tells me that flat bottomed boats are building for this purpose at Cambridge. A numerous and well appointed Army is assembled, which without the protection of the Kings Ships can utterly destroy this Town and the Troops pent up in it. Castle William is at this time actually guarded by the Men of War.

Under these Circumstances it gives me great pain that I am unable to comply fully with your Lordship's requisition to send a large Ship to Virginia, being perfectly satisfied how serviceable she could be at this Juncture; But my Lord I flatter myself when your Lordship is acquainted with the true situation of his Majesty's Affairs in this Town and Province, and of the great preparations actually making to dislodge the King's Troops; Your Lordship will perceive I could not without the utmost Risque send another large Ship from hence; The Asia being gone to New York the beginning of this month. I have however sent Captain [Matthew] Squire in his Majesty's Sloop Otter to put himself under the Command of Captain [George] Montagu, who will I am satisfied continue to assist your Lordship and protect his Majesty's faithful Subjects to the utmost of his Power, and when a Reinforcement comes from England, your Lordship may depend upon my paying the utmost Attention in my power to your application, consistent with the Orders I may receive, and the Exigencies of his Majesty's Service in this Country. I am &c.