I beg leave to Inform you that I sailed from Boston the 4th of J anry last in His Majesty's Ship under my Command with two Transports under my Convoy bound to this Port in Order to Purchase or seize a Quantity of Rice for the use of His Majesty's Troops & to have the assistance of Sr James Wright Governor of this Province in procuring the same.

Upon my Arrival here I found this Province in the utmost Confusion & in open Rebellion, they had taken away the Kings Cannon that lay at Cockspur & mounted them at the Town of Savannah & likewise sunk Vessels in the narrowest part of the Channell, so as to prevent any Ship of Force getting up, they had likewise confined their Governor & Council, a few days after my Arrival Sr. James Wright found means to escape from his Confinement & got on board the Scarboro. where he & his Family now remains.

The Rebels had detained about twenty sail of Ships & Vessels partly loaded with Rice Therefore the only way of getting a Supply of that Commodity was to seize upon the Shipping which was done accordingly & I have got in my possession Sixteen hundred barrells of Rice, & I am now loading the two Transports with the same & then to proceed to Boston with them, where it is much wanted.

On the fifteenth Inst arrived here the Duke of Cumberland Packet, from St Augustine who brought me Letters from Governor Tonyn, & Lieut. [William] Grant of the St John Schooner, Copies of which I herewith Inclose you, upon the perusal of which you will find the Rebels have sent a number of Armed Vessels to Sea & have attacked [New] Providence, but I imagine before I received the information they were gone as they declared they only came to carry away the Kings Cannon & Powder & to take the St John Schooner, I inclose you the Names & description of the above Rebel Vessels.
²

Yesterday came in here a Sloop from St Augustine who brought me a Letter from Governor Tonyn dated the 8th of March with Copy of one he received from Govr Brown Copies of both I herewith Inclose by which you will percieve they have some Intentions of paying a Visit to West Florida.

I therefore think it my duty to give you the earliest Information in my power. Mr Chambers who brings you this was at Providence the time the Rebels arrived there. There has been a report here that those Ships & Vessels had left Providence & got into Charles Town So Carolina, which has been partly Confirmed by the Information of Andw B[r]edon which I herewith Inclose you,
³

I have sent a Vessel to look into Charles Town to know whither they are there or not, but as it may be of the utmost Consequence to His Majesty's Service for your being made acquainted with this Intelligence I will not detain Mr Chambers untill her return which may be some days. you will be pleased to observe they mean to attack our Trade from Jamaica which I make not the least doubt but they will endeavour to do.

Sr Peter Parker is expected upon this Coast every hour with a Small Squadron & [7?] Regiments, in order to reduce the Southern Colonies. I am afraid the Force is too small;

Governor [Josiah] Martin has got at Cape Fear, between three & four thousand Men in Arms for Government. the moment the Troops makes their Appearance, he expects to be joined by many more.

I beg leave to recommend Mr Chambers the master of the Sloop that brings you this, upon my Expressing a desire to send you this Intelligence, he Immediately Offered his Service for that purpose, he thereby deserves every Encouragement & favour that can be shown him I am Sir [&c.] Andw Barkley