[Extract]

...I have Letters of the most alarming kind by which it appears the Parishes of Westmoreland & St James's are also at the Eve of General insurrection and indeed there is reason to think it was meant over great part of the Island I have not time to transcribe these informations which you shall have at Leisure I have only to Assure you that there is every reason to think this Island is in more danger than it has ever been since the English Conquest of it, I trust as I have every reason to do that the Safety and protection of this Island is your first object and in that firm belief as Governor of it beg you will send one of your Ships directly away to Lucea with orders to act with the Kings Subjects there to spare Powder to the Chief Magistrates or Colonels of Militia and to Sail from one place to another where the Danger calls without waiting your further orders, send down your Arms and I will give you what price you please for them, Flints, Ball &c&c please order your Ships when they go from place to place to make all the parade they can such as keeping in the day time Jack, Ensign & Pendant flying and when at Anchor to fire Morning & Evening Guns. I will explain my reasons fr this another time, excuse a hasty scrawl and want of ceremony multiplicity of Bussiness will plead my Excuse. I refer to you the propriety of gettingsome Vessel ready to proceed in a few days to Europe when we know our real Situation the present Pacquet being a remarkable bad Sailer, I urge this supposing you have Authority upon such occalSlons, if not you will forgive my Ignorance and inform me of it