Sir

Unfortunate as we have been in falling a Prey to a small Party of Rebels, for want of Protection, which was repeatedly Solicited, We beg leave thro' you, to Assure our Gracious Sovereign, of our unshaken Allegiance and Warmest Attachment to his Person and Crown. We have been driven from our Plantations and despoiled of a great part of our property, and must have lost our all, had not His Excellency Don Galvez, Governor of this Province, with much kindness and humanity, in the Name of his Catholic Majesty, afforded Protection to our Persons and the remaining part of Our Effects.—A Copy of our address of thanks, & of the Governor's answer we have the honor to inclose You.

Two Months since, we numbered within the district of Manchac about 200 Inhabitants, many of whom were possessed of considerable property.—At Present the whole district is Abandoned, and the Inhabitants, very few excepted, have taken Shelter in the Province of Lousiana.—Nothing but protection was wanting, to make the Country bordering on the Mississippi a Valuable and flourishing part of His Majty's Dominions.—Perhaps it is not yet too late.—Encouraged as we were by His Majty's Royal Proclamation to settle this Province under Your Command; and particularly of late invited to seek an Asylum from the Violences committed in the Northern Colonies, we conceive we have a Right to look to you for Protection, & we beg to know if it will be afforded us, that we may Return and Cultivate our Lands.—We would not Presume to Point out the Mode to You, Sir; but as we Suppose about 200 Regular Troops and a Vessel of War with some armed Boats properly Stationed and a Militia Established among ourselves would Answer the Purpose.

We beg your Answer by the Return of this Express that we may take some Measures before the planting Season be past, to secure a Subsistance.—We have the honor to be [&c.]