(COPY)

Sir, An expedition against this Province being preparing, by all accounts in Carolina and Georgia, a part of the operations is to be carried on by the inland Navigation.

Cockspur situation will not prevent a communication between Savannah and South Carolina, from whence several Vessels have lately passed laden with Indigo, and have been shipped on Board a fast sailing Vessel at Savannah, which has proceeded down a Creek called the St Augustine passage. A Vessel lately which had eight thousand pounds sterling of Indigo on Board made this passage, and is gone to the foreign Islands; since the middle of June three Vessels with Rice have done the same, and are gone to a foreign Market.

This has induced me to send you the inclosed sketch, which will shew the Situation, the Rebels take the opportunity of a dark night to make the passage.ー

For the enterprize intended against this Province Row Boats to carry Cannon in the Bow an eighteen pounder, four of these Boats I know are building at Beaufort, two at Savannah, and several in other parts. A privateer is fitting out at Sunbury, and other armed Vessels are equipping in the different Creeks in Georgia.ー

Six Vessels are dayly expected to slip into some of the Ports on the Coast of Georgia from the Islands, they have supplies for the Rebels.

Mr Thomas Young a Gentleman of large Property in Georgia, was strongly recommended to me as a loyal Subject, he obtained two or three protections from me for his Vessel to supply His Majestys Islands with Provisions, under the sanction of his recommendation, and loyalty to His Majesty. I hear since lie has also procured protections from the Rebel Congress for his Vessels, and his motives are to supply the Rebels. I hope you will let this circumstance be known to all His Majestys Ships under your Command, that proper search may be made in any Vessel belonging to Mr Thomas Young that comes in their way.ー

The Pensacola and Jamaica Packet is arrived here, Lieut: Clark [Arthur Clarke] who commands her intorms me that some Rebel Cruisers have been in the Keys to the Southward of this Province, this should be made known to any of the King's Ships that may be passing in those parts.

If we can here be of any use to any of the Ships at Cockspur you have only to command it, I shall he happy to render you all the Service in my power.ー

Sir Peter Parker having added to the station at Cockspur the Active and Sphynx, I hope you will be enabled to have some Success against these frequenters of the Georgia Coast, and extend your Cruising to this Province, particularly to St Mary's River ー Wishing you all success ー I am Sir [&c.]

St Augustine 5th August 1776ー

[Endorsed] Copy ー Governor Tonyn's letter to the Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Ships Savannah River ー No 2 ー In Govr Tonyn's (No 3 private) of 26 Aug-1776.