Gentn
On Saturday the 25th Ulto. I received information by Express from Col Wm Travers (of the Corps of the lower part of this County) that there were five Tenders then in Hoopers Straights; that they had landed on Hopkins's Island & had taken upwards of sixty head of Cattle from that place, together with two young men and every thing else that was valuable on the Island; that they had committed considerable depredation on the Somerset Shore, and thrown that County into the utmost confusion, and he expected they would commit further ravages in this County. In consequence of this information I ordered Col John Ennalls & Major Robert Harrison to go down to that neighbourhood (it being forty miles from this place) to get further information respecting the circumstances and to take such steps as should appear to them to be necessary on the occasion. They immediately went down and I am informed by them that on their arrival there, they found affairs circumstanced as above related. The Tenders had gone down the Bay wth their plunder a few hours before they arrived, but the Militia of that Corpse were still upon duty, many of them being much fatigued and anxious to go home; they were all discharged except about forty, who were left to keep a look out. In the evening of that day there appeared in Nanticoke Sound, one large Ship and seven other Vessels supposed to be tenders. This gave the Inhabitants great uneasiness and anxiety, they therefore ordered such part of the Militia as cou'd readily be collected to assemble to prevent the Enemy from committing further damage. I am further informed by them that they found many of the people in that part of the County very lukewarm in the opposition, difficult to be got together, and when collected in such bad discipline they are not (in their opinion) to be relied on, paying but little regard to the instructions of their Officers. Things being in this situation, I have thought it advisable to order part of the Militia under my command to march down to their assistance, &: I flatter myself we shall be able to prevent their landing in that quarter, but should the enemy continue there a few days, and keep the Militia on duty numbers of the Inhabitants must unavoidably lose a considerable part of their crops, their Wheat being now ready to cut.
Capt Woolford is at this time with his Company on the Borders of Nanticoke near the mouth of that River, to guard that neighbourhood, where his assistance is much wanted.
I must further beg leave to inform you that our Militia are badly fited with Arms. I am clearly of opinion, that not one half of them have effective Guns, neither have we a Sufficient quantity of Powder & lead (particularly the latter) should we have occasion to make use of those articles ー
I have this moment received an Express from Hoopers Straights by which I am informed that the Ship of War is now in the Mouth of Nanticoke, two of the Tenders in Hungar River & one in Fishing Bay close to the shore, that the people are in great confusion, and much harassed by them. I have not the least doubt but they are in the like, or a worse situation in Somerset County. I think it my duty to give you this information as early as possible, and doubt not you will give such assistance as the exigency of our affairs require. I have the honor to be Gentn [&c.]
