My Lord

The accident that has befallen General Burgoyne, has induced me to make aplication, to Major Gen^l. Massey¹ and Sir George Collier to remove out of this Province the Rebel Prisoners, amounting to near 400; because the whole Force for its protection, consists of no more then 600 Marines, without Grenadiers, 400 Highlanders under the comand of Major Small an Officer of distinguished merit,² who has taken infinite pains, with his Battallion.

The other two Gorehams³ & Legges,⁴ very Young, & very incomplete; & I presume not to be reckoned upon.

I have been thus particular my Lord in inumerating the state of the Province that you may provide for its security if Circumstances may make it necessary in the Spring.

In the mean time I have made a requisition to Sir George Collier to send two Frigates or other force to Winter at Annapolis, & two others to winter at the mouth of S^t. Johns river for the protection of those places against the incursions of the Rebels about Machias, who are allmost continualy harrassing our frontier setlers, and as a Guard to the province to which those posts are the key; & where our enemies wish to establis a post. I shall only add that if it was thought advisable to let me have the direction of three small vessels, Cutters or swift sailing Bermudas Sloops Carrying 12 Guns each with 50 or 60 Men I think I could be answerable for the protection of the Trade in a great measure for I am realy distressed to see our trade cut up in this manner by villains in vessels without force

I beg your Lordships pardon, I want no addition to my business, but for the disinterested service of my Country, many obsticles there are to this Hint, I know which has droped from my pen allmost imperceptably. I am [&c.]

Halifax December
December 23^d. 1777