Sir, In a letter to General Gage of the 19. July last, I mentioned the Savage Sloop, and Saint John Schooner, stationed on this Coast, and the Island of Providence; that the St John has been here only once, the others not att all. They Harbour at [New] Providence, out of the way of action, in perfect quiet; when His Majesty's service, calls for their assistance in these Seas.
When the St John was here, it was a critical hour, in the Province of Georgia. Lt [William] Grant the Commander shew'd me a note, he had received from Sir James Wright, requesting to see him before he sailed, or that he would return again to Savanah. I had dispatches of consequence for Sr James Wright, which I desired him to take, advising him to return there, as the dissention, and disaffection were mounting to an extreme hight, between the Inhabitantnts in the interest of the Constitution, and the Rebelious. But, I requested of Mr Grant, to return to this Port, which he promised. My Object for it was, I had intelligence, that armed Cruisers, were out from [South] Carolina, to intercept, some Merchant Ships, coming to this Place, with Ordnance stores for His Majesty Garrison, and Powder for the Merchants. I intended on their appearance, the St John should go out out to protect them, untill the wind permitted. them to come into the Harbour. If Mr Grant had returned, an act of Piracy which happened off this Bar, would not have been committed. A relation of which I have wrote to his Excellency General Gage,2 and beg leave to enclose to you an extract of it. I also wrote to General Gage, some intelligence I had procured, of Gunpowder being run, from the West India Islands, to the Province of [South] Carolina.
A cruiser of considerable force, I am informed, is to be station.ed, from Saint Mary River, the north boundery of this Province, to intercept whatever vessels, may be bound to this Province, and is to be commanded by [Clement] Lempriere, she is now equiping in Carolina.
The letters from England, for this Province by the last mail, I have had no account of, but I hear it has been wrote to some Gentlemen here, that they are put into the Man of War in Charlestown Harbour. I have no means to send for them, was I to send the Provincial Vessel, she can make no resistance, and would be taken by any of the Rebel cruisers.
From [South] Carolina a rebel Packetboat is established, that sails under a flag with liberty wrote upon it, to Philadelphia, and another to Savanah.
Our Coasts being intirely without defence, I thought you would be glad to have such information in maritim[e] affairs, as was in my powet; to give; at the same time I mean to draw your attention, to such services in these parts of His Majesty's Dominions, as may be thought requisit, when I shall rejoice most heartily, to have our Coasts cleared of such petty insignificant cruisers, which are able to do great mischief to defenceless Merchant Ships. I have the honour [&c.]
St Augustine 14. Sepr 75
P.S. I am told Cap Thornborough of the Tamer, lies at Charlestown in a total state of inactivity