No 12

My Lord; On the 11th Instant three Companies of the 60th Regiment, were disembarked from the Hind Man of War Captain [Henry] Bryne, and on the 16th the Hind sailed for Saint Vincent, from whence she had been sent from Admiral Young. This day arrived Colonel [Augustine] Prevost, Lt Colonel Fraser, and some Officers of the same Corps from Jamaica. The enclosed printed paper of the proceedings of the rebel Congress of South Carolina is just come to my hands, it is the only one that has been heard of as yet, in this part of the World: the Person that brought it, has made it in too bad a condition, but lest one of them, should not have been sent to your Lordship, from another quarter, I have taken the liberty to enclose it. The Inhabitants of this Province on Saint Mary River, were apprehensive of being disturbed by the Georgia Rebels, as the Saint John Schooner was in this Harbour, I sent her there, and a small detachment of His Majesty's troops, was put on board the Saint John. The Schooner is returned, and has taken three prises, which will be condemned; two Vessels have come into this Harbour, that having been in the Dutch Islands, and have been in some illicit commerce, which will it is imagined condemn them. I intended my Lord to have stationed the Hinchenbrook Schooner, Lieutenant [Alexander] Ellis at St Mary River, and to have had another Vessel with her, and a detachment of His Majesty's troops of fifty men to have been on board of them: this measure I apprehend would have secured this Province from any depredations of the rebels: but Lieutenant Ellis who was order'd to relieve the St Lawrence Schooner, that was absolutely station'd for the services of this Province; thinking his orders do not imply directly, the service of this Province only, but that he is left a good deal at large; is gone to Cape Fair [Fear] to procure orders from Sir Peter Parker. Lieutenant Ellis mentioned the amb.iguity of his orders, my opinion was, that he relieved the St Lawrence, and was intended for the service she was designed. The Hinchenbrook had been geting ready for a cruise, I desired Mr Ellis to look into our rivers, he went over the Bar, and untill then did not signify his intention of going to Cape Fair to Sir Peter Parker, which he did by a letter from the other side of the Bar by the return of the Pilot. This deprived me of an opportunity of writing to General Clinton, and the Admiral, and sending other dispatches I much wished to get away from hence. I only take the liberty to mention this to your Lordship, that you may see, how intended services are disapointed by such circumstances, and in case any thing happens, in the absence of the Hinchenbrook.

I have the honour to be with the greatest respect, My Lord [&c.]

Pat. Tonyn St Augustine 22d ー April 1776 {Endorsed] St Augustine 22d April 1776 Gover Tonyn (No 12) R/ 22d. August (1 Inclosure)