On the 5th instant, about seven in the evening, two boats that are kept down the bay to reconnoiter the motions of the men of war in Virginia, returned with the alarm that a man of war and two tenders were close at hand, and expected their intentions were to destroy this city, which threw the inhabitants into the greatest confusion; what with the darkness of the night, thunder, lightning, and rain, cries of women and children, people hurrying their effects into the country, drums beating to arms, &c. I can assure you it was by no means an agreeable scene. The wind shifting in the storm to the N.W. prevented the ships getting up that night. In this interval the inhabitants were moving their effects as fast as possible; we moved a few West India goods about ten miles, but were riot so much alarmed as many others, having no notion of their firing on the town immediately without any insult offered them. However, the wind kept them back till the second day, when they appeared off the harbour, and to our great joy standing up the Bay without coming too. Governor Eden sent a boat after them to know what were their instructions, as he had no notice of any ship of war coming into this Province. It proved to be the Otter Sloop, Captain Squire, and two armed tenders, intending to take or destroy a large armed ship fitting out at Baltimore, and get fresh provisions, but not fire on any town. When the Otter got up to the mouth of the river Potapsico [Potapsco], that leads up to Baltimore town, she got a-ground sundry times, endeavouring to get in; not being able to effect this, she sent in her tenders and took a large ship loaded with wheat and flour belonging to Baltimore, which also got a-ground in coming out, there not being more than 14 or 15 feet. water at low tides, which always make with a N .W.wind. Before they could get her off the people at Baltimore got their armed ship ready, well manned, and fell down the river. On the tenders seeing her they sheared off with dispatch and left their prize. The Otter likewise got under sail, and made the best of her way down to the mouth of this harbour, where she came too; we were pretty well prepared in case they had attempted to have committed hostilities. Captain Squire sent ashore a flag to the Governor and Council of Safety: matters were not settled that evening. A second was sent next morning, when they agreed to go off without doing any damage or getting any provisions; but we have too much reason to expect a second visit from them in a few days with a much stronger force, when in all probability they may destroy our city. We have force enough to prevent their landing: God forbid they should attempt it, as it must bring on a horrid scene indeed. We most heartily wish the Commissioners were arrived that we understand are appointed to settle matters, and most sincerely pray a stop may be put to so unnatural and bloody a contest, but are afraid it is gone too far now to be settled any other way than by the sword and the loss of the Colonies to Britain.