Sir

As the Snow Elizabeth Abraham Figtree sails immediately from this Port for London, I take the Liberty to beg that you will be pleased to lay before my Lords Commissioners of the Admty the inclosed Copy of my last Letter to the Admiral or Commandet in Chief in North America, acquainting them with a most disagreeable Event on my Station, as the Packet was sailing on my arrival off this Barr with the Powder, I could not be more explicit on the Subject, I therefore beg leave Sir to Trouble you with a few occurrences on that Event.

On the Appearance of the Fleet off Providence I prepared for resistance and Stationed the St John in the Channel where they were expected to enter to approach the town, and by requisitions made by the Governor and Council, I removed the Schooner from that to several other Stations most likely to annoy and Gall their. Troops on their March to Town, all our Guns loaded with grape & small Shot and moved within Pistol Shot of the only pass they could enter the Town; afterwards by the same request transported and Mo[o]red with her broad side to cover the Entrance of the Fort

Upon the Rebels landing the Governor sent a Message to know their Business and received for Answer that they were come here to carry off the Powder and destroy the Kings Schooner which was their Orders and which they were determined to execute. The Governor and Council conceived the Rebel force to be considerable and the people of New Providence not to be depended on and were of opinion that under these circumstances the best Step to be taken was to carry off the Powder with the Schooner which we effected with some difficulty. Upon my arrival at Saint Augustine I dispatched a Sloop immediately with intelligence of it to the commanding officer at Georgia and South Carolina and to Captn Buckly [Andrew Barkley] of the Scarborough then at Savannah as I am informed they saild from the Delaware in January and that they are destined either for Pensacola or some of the West India Islands to procure Powder.

It will be a particular happiness to me to be any ways instrumental in the distruction of the Rebel Fleet and armament ー I have a just sense of your Favours and wish to be able to give you the strongest proofs of that esteem and regard with which I am &c