Sir,

The late cruel cannonade of Bristol by the British ships of war, to enforce an arbitrary demand of sheep ー the general depredations on the American coasts, by ministerial authority ー the late advices from England of large military armaments by land and sea, for the hostile invasion of the Colonies upon this continent ー and, the proclamation of the 23d of August last, at the Court of St. James', by which the good people of America are unjustly described as in avowed rebellion ー superadded to the former American grievances ー together, with Lord William Campbell's threats of hostilities against us ー have sunk deep in the minds of a people who, seeing themselves by the royal act, in effect put out of the regal protection, are at length driven to the disagreeable necessity of ordering a military opposition to the arms of the British ministry. But the people of South-Carolina remembering, that those who point the British arms at their breasts, and against their invaluable liberties, are their dear countrymen, and once were their friends; unwilling, yet determined, vigorously to oppose any approach of threatening danger to their safety; have directed me to intimate to you, Sir, as Commander in Chief of the British armament on this station, that orders are issued to the Commanding officer at Fort Johnson, by every military operation, to endeavour to prevent any ministerial armament from passing that post.

We thus think it proper to warn you from an approach, that must be productive of the shedding of blood; which, in other circumstances, we would endeavour to preserve. I have the honour to be, Sir, [&c.]