Quadruplicate
Nassau in New Providence
the Chief of the Bahama Islands
25th Feb: 1778.
My Lord
I am extremely sorry to acquaint your Lordship that a very unfortunate Accident happened here a few Days after my Arrival, and before I had Time to make any Disposition for the Safety and Defence of the Island.
On the 27th of January in the Night a Party of Marines were landed from a Vessel of War belonging to the American Congress1 [to] the Westward of this Town, who marched silently to Fort Nassau and took Possession of it; very unfortunately there were many Americans here (who had gott Passages from the West Indies) who went into the Fort andjoined them, they then pointed the Guns on the Town, and sent a Flag of Truce to acquaint the Inhabitants, if there was the least attempt made to raise any Force to attack the Fort, they would fire immediately on the Town, and at the same Time to assure them that none of the Property of the Inhabitants should be injured, which Threat and Promise prevented many of the Inhabitants from joining me, and thereby the Americans considerably outnumbred the Assistance I could gett.
In the Morning early their Ship entred the Harbour and seized on a large Jamaica Ship2 laden with Sugars and Rum (that putt in here to refitt) and also on three small Vessels3 that were Prizes to a Jamaica Privateer.4
The Americans kept Possession of the Fort two Days, at the End of which Time they spiked up the Guns, destroyed the little Powder that was in the Fort, and sailed with their Prizes.
Since the above Accident I have formd an Association which most of the Inhabitants have entred into, and have agreed to do Duty in the Fort, till we can gett some military Assistance, from Lord Howe or Sir Peter Parker to whom I have wrote for that Purpose, or else some Assistance from England.
I am sorry to say there is a very considerable Trade carryed on, between the Americans and some of the Inhabitants of these Islands and that large Quantitys of Salt are sent to America, which it is not in my Power to prevent for want of some Military Assistance to support the Civil Power.
The foregoing Accident points out the Necessity there is for some Naval Force to be stationed here, as well as some Detachment of Soldiers, and without which whenever the Americans can spare Troops to garrison this Place, they certainly will take Possession of it and keep it.
I am sure I need not point out to your Lordship the many Disadvantages that must attend the Jamaica Trade, as well as that to West Florida and East Florida, was this Place a Rendezvous for American Privateers. I have the Honour to be [&c.]