Governor Martin has threatened the destruction of Wilmington, if they do not supply him with provisions. The town has spiritedly refused to supply him with a single mouthful, notwithstanding the cruizer and three armed vessels lay opposite it, and they have told the Governor he may do as he pleases, as they are determined to resist to the last. They have a good battery there, and four hundred chosen men, under the command of a brave Irishman, Col. William Purviance, who is determined to see it out with them. The women and children are sent out of town. The Tories are all secured in Wilmington jail, to the number of twenty-five. Capt. Parry, of the cruizer, has meanly begged a few quarters of beef, which the town has refused him, and the vessels dare not begin the attack, though we daily expect to hear of an engagement, as they are a starving.
It was humurous enough in the inhabitants of Wilmington, when the Governor haughtily demanded one thousimd barrels of flour, after answering him fully on that head, they then went immediately into the insurrection, and what a hopeful situation he had reduced his friends to, that were surrounded by large, spirited, and powerful armies, who were determined to make short work with them.
The Negroes at Cape Fear were never known to behave so well as they have lately.
Yesterday two prisoners, a midshipman and a common seaman, were sent out of this town to Halifax.
We have now in arms, to the southward of this town, nine thousand four hundred men. General Clinton, we expect to hear every moment, is landed at Cape Fear, with the troops under his command. As soon as we learned he had sailed from Virginia, sent off an express instantly to our commanding officer there, to be ready for him. The Gov. of South-Carolina is at Cape Fear; Clinton, Martin, and Lord William Campbell, are to settle the plan of operations as to the subjugating this province, South-Carolina, and Georgia. Tomorrow we send off two gentlemen to South-Carolina. I do expect the moment Clinton lands; this province, Virgiinia and South-Carolina will march an army of twenty thousand men against him. You never knew the like in your life as to true patriotism, not a man of any influence is left in the back country, nor on Cape Fear, all to a man turned out upon the first alarm in defence of their country.
