[Extract]

Gentlemen

Since I had the honor to write to you last Saturday, the Cruizer Sloop of War with three other armed Vessels arrived in view of this Town on monday Evening. The next morning Governor Martin made a demand of One thousand pounds of Flour. And Captain [Francis] Parry informed the Inhabitants that he shoud come up in the Evening to know the reason why the Kings Ships had not been supply'd with Provisions as usual. The Committee gave answers to both those messages. The Governor replyd and was again answered, and Captain Parry sent a Note Yesterday for some fresh Beef I have transmitted you Copies of the papers which past on this occasion and I hope what have been wrote by the Committee will meet with your approbation. It is worthy your notice the different Styles in which Mr Parry writes first and last the first is an imperious demand, the last a civil request.
² These Vessels are lying here with intention to cover the landing of their highland Friends, whom they expect to come down in triumph. How sensible must be their disappointment when they hear that all their hopes are frustrated. The inclosed is a Copy of a Letter recd from Col. [James] Moore and contains one of the fullest Account of the Battle we have yet received
³ One of our Expresses that returned to day from the Camp informs us that the highlanders broke down their Waggons, and many of them rode away three upon an horse We impatiently waite for all the particulars of this Action which tho' it may appear trifling, will I doubt not be attended with the most important consequences, for as two of the Tory leaders and particularly the second in command fell in the Action I think it very improbable that the principa[l] Officers will be able, were they ever so willing to unite the Army again. Indeed we are assured that the few Regulators they had among them have left them and that they discharged what Prisoners they had. and I have no doubt but many of the poor highlanders will be pleased to get home, being, as they confest, forced and perswaded, contrary to their inclinations into the Service

I have inclosed you, Gentlemen, a return of the men under my Command. You will perceive we are far from being powerful and Col. [Robert] Salters men arrived only yesterday Evening the men I have being very insufficient considering the Post I have to maintain, and the almost numberless preparations for defence, which I have got to make. I shall to morrow have a Battery prepared, and a nine pounder mounted, & as soon as it can be affected, I shall mount a few Six pounders. After this I shall have it in my power to compleat the fire Rafts; from which I was obliged to desist on the arrival of the armed Vessels.

Col. [John] Ashe and his party has been here since saturday, without having done any Duty. He had told Col. Rhodes, that he woud let me have 58 men or more to assist in compleating the Battery. I had sent a [ci]vil message for that purpose, but before it cou'd be delivered Mr Wm.Robeson came, and [said] it wou'd be necessary to have it in writing. I accordingly sent a written message which is inclosed and which I thought coud not give offence even to the self important Col. Ashe. He thought proper however to return it with a verbal answer, that he did not obey any orders . . .

Col. Ashe advised me on the appearance of the Cruizer and other armed Vessels to abandon the Town and join Col. Moore. The few men I had woud have been of little service to the main body and I had not the least Idea of deserting a Post of so much importance, and which I knew the Enemy intended to occupy. On the 27th inst his people applyd for six rounds of Carteridges declaring their intention of joining the main body. they had that additional supply of Ammunition yet they are still in Town. I have told the commissary that they are no longer to eat at the publick Expence. . . .

I have the honor to be with great respect Gentlemen [&c.]

P.S. . . . A Sailor that deserted from one of the Kings ships of War, lately come from Boston, has been examined on Oath and declares that he saw three thousand men drawn up wch were destind for the Carolinas. They were to land here, and after they had effected their puposes were to go by land to S[o] Carolina. He further adds that some of their Officers are on board the Ships now in this Harbour.