Gent.

I wrote you the 1st Inst Copy of which goes by this Opportunity.ー

Mr. [James] Le Maitre has at length arrived here, but as I apprehended, by way of Hallifax & without the Sloop. ー On the Night of the 5th of June near the Island of Bermuda, the Crew, instigated & headed by the Mate (who it seems was a Caledonian) fell upon Capt [William] Britton & him whilst in their Beds and threatning the least resistance with immediate Death, made them both prisoners, at the same Instant Breaking open their Chests & seizing upon all their papers, which the Hurry & unexpectedness of the Assault gave them no time to destroy. Having thus far accomplished their villainous design, they took the Management of the Vessell upon themselves & shaped a course to the N Eastward, intending as the mate has since acknowledged, for some port of Great Britain, with hopes, no doubt, of being generously rewarded for their Treachery. But falling in with an armed Transport, a little to the Eastward of the Banks they were taken & conducted back to Hallifax, & there delivered with the papers &ca. to the Governor² Le Maitre says he is ignorant of the Contents of the Letters but supposes they contained some matters of Consequence as the Governor appeared much vexed when he read them & treated him in a very scurvy manner, suffering him to be despoiled of all he had, even his wearing Apparel, Shoe Buckles, &ca.

This is the third Instance of the kind that has come within my Knowledge, and I am really afraid they will happen more frequently unless you are exceedingly cautious at least in the Appointment of your Officers. ー The Congress I think could scarce devise a punishment adequate to such perfidy.

Mr Le Maitre informs that Admiral Howe arrived with his Squadron at Hallifax about the 26th of June, but as the General his Brother had left that place with his Army a few days before, he without making any stay, proceeded to Long Island, which it seems is now the place of rendezvous. ー According to the best Accounts he could obtain, the Ministerial Army there consist'd of 20,000 Men, 12,000 of whom are, or I would rather say, were Hessians, & 3000 Highlanders, the residue being the Remains of the Boston Army. He adds that [John] Burgoyne was at the Head of 9000 Troops in Canada, & that they were daily looking out at Hallifax for 6000 Hanoverians & a further reinforcement of Highlanders- And it is reported here that there is a Negociation on foot between England & Russia for 13,000 Russians, wch are to be sent also to America. ー They are formidable Stories, & by no means incredible, for you must be convinced long before this that no Expence, no Means, no Art will be unessayed to crush & utterly ruin you.

These things I doubt not you'le have heard long ago, at least such of them as are passing in your Neighbourhood, and you must ascribe my troubling you with a repetition of them to the Anxiety where with I am continually agitated for the Success & prosperity of the Cause. I am Sir [&c.]

I hope I shant have so bad an Acct to render of Capt [Thomas] Patton ー but I really begin to suspect some thing extraordinary has happened to him ー He got out safe and is no where in the West Indies, I believe.³