[Extract]

Dear Sir

I had the pleasure of your favour of the 11 Inst which Convayd a great deal of Satisfaction to me, as I am able to Contradict the Silly Assertions of our Enthusiastic trifflers who believe and propagate Lying Inconsistencies for want of Sense, which notwithstanding is greedily Swallowed as truth by their more Silly Auditors. I hope those Inconsiderate People of N Carolina will Soon be Suppressd, tho I fear Clinton is to join the Scots Settled on Cape fear River, and I apprehended from the time [Donald] McDonald and McLoed went there with Suton that there was somthing of this kind in Agitation. I mentioned my fears of th[is] to Mr. [Samuel] Johnston when at Edenton, All our Streets.and Slips are fortifying the People in town able to bear arms are Compelled to work or Each to find a man to work under the penalty of ten Shillings so that it goes on very fast. A [b]attery of twelve guns is Constructed a Little below the [Fer]ry on Long Island upon the top of the Bank opposite the town, Six Amb[ras]urs point to the Corner of the Battery at the Entrance of the Harbour, another Battery Behind the house the Governor Occupied Commands the North River with I believe Eight guns, The Asia Lyes in the north River Quietly Looking on, The Late Act of Parliament for Confiscating all American Shiping will Ru[i]n us all, ... I Sett out to Morrow in Quest of my Sloop perhaps to Boston ... am [&c.]