I had received information of this business, ² before it happened, which principaly occasioned my letter to Genl Howe a Copy of which & Mr Franklins [Michael Francklin] (who cannot sufficiently be aplauded for his Zeal) will give your Lordship all most the whole of what we are doing in Consequence of those horrid pursuites of those People, except that General Massey has Added 1 Company of Grenadiers of the Royal Emigrants, one hundred Men & Marched them Yesterd[ay] to Windsor to reinforce the others allready at that place to Embark for Fort Cumberland, which with what Force can be landed, from the Vulture, sent upon this occasion by Sir Geo Collier at my requisition allso the Albany & Diligent Armed Brigantine Likewise sent prior to this at my request to Guard the Rivers Kenebec &c. I hope all together, a force — full sufficient to drive those Banditty to their holes -as the only means to secure our quiet this winter, there cannot be the smallest doubt about our success Unless the Rebels in the eastern part of New England can afford them more Succour than I think they have power to Effect.

However, as we have in the harbour one forty Gun Ship, three Frigates, I have wrote to Capt. [Maximilian] Jacobs, of the Amason, Requesting him to Land his Marines as he is going to head Quarters, I have likewise requested the same by letter to Sir George Collier, to order the Ships Under his Comand to do the like, as well as himself, this I think when complied with will make a reinforcement of near 150 rank & file, beside recruits which came out in the Pembroke 120 & other people left behind General Massey has now detained upon this Occasion, I should think will amount to near 200 more, so that I am in no pain about this place from any thing but fire, and that nothing may be Omited I have caused the Gentlemen of the Town to mount every night with 20 Men to patrole the streets in addition to the Military, in short my Lord, as £arr as my faculties can assist me, no pains shall be spared, to defeat the privat[e] Machinations of those detestable Men; And I am sure General Massey will do the same.
I shall conclude this long letter with Acquainting you that the variety of services which the Kings Ships have been called upon to perform has put it out of Lord Howes power to give that protection to this province which otherwise I well know he would; Our Coasts have been infested with small piratical Rebels who have entered Our defenceless harbours, and. done much Mischief to the Fishery & Shiping, some of Which they have carried away, & many others they have burned, but since the Landing of the Kings Troops on long Island we are well protected, but I have been obliged to purchase a small Armed Vessel of 8 Carriage & 10 Swyvel Guns, Maned with forty People for the Convoying the Coasting Vessels, &c, at the expence of about 260 pounds, which I shall draw for & will be the only expence attending this business Permit me my Lord to Offer my Congratulations On the success which his Majesties Arms has Obtained over the Rebel Vessels on Lake Champlain who are totaly defeated on the 11th & 13th of October past, the particulars of which arrived at this place in a Transport after a passage of 19 days from Quebec bound to head Quarters; last night. . . . 

Halifax Novr the [26] ³