Sir
By your favour of the 25th Instant I have the pleasure to learn the Arrival of the last of Capt [Samuel] Smedleys Prizes, and thank you for your Care & attention to our Business ー
You will receive Letters from me respecting the Prizes, which are perhaps already come to your Hands, by which you will see we have no desire to supersede' your Agency ー as the Defence is to be refitted & Sent to Sea with all Expedition I wish you to give Capt Smedley all the Assistance you can for that purpose.
The Enemy have now made an Attack directly on this State, & it is reported, with what Truth I am not able to determine, they intend ravaging our Coast & in some Measure to make this State the Theatre of War we therefore think it prudent, to reserve all the provisions of every kind taken in these four Prizes for the use of the State, as it is highly probable we shall have Occasion ~ot only to provide for our Militia on Sudden Marches, but also to minister to the relief of our Inhabitants who may be forced from their dwellings You will therefore at present Secure the whole of the Provisions brought in in all the Prizes 'till further Orders, only excepting out of this General Order, Provisions to fit the Briga for a New Cruise, & an Order to deliver Mr Nathaniel Shaw Junr provision for his Privateer at Dartmouth, for which he hath an Order 2 ー and you will consider this Letter as countermanding all former Orders respecting Provisions in sd Prizes, except what relates to Smedleys Briga & Mr Shaws Privateer.
It will be of Importance that you take Care of the provisions, & place them in such a Situation as may Secure them against any Sudden Invasion of the Enemy, which we leave to your Discretion.
The Invoices & other papers I return you inclosed. I am &c.