Sir

The present distressed and defenceless State of His Majesty's Bahama Islands occasioned by the arrival of an Armament fitted out by the American Colonies now in open and declared Rebellion, makes me take this earliest opportunity by Express to acquaint you of what has lately happened here, and to request your Assistance.

You must know then, Sir, that early on Sunday Morning of the third Instant a Ship, afterwards found to be mounted with thirty two Guns, One of thirty Guns, two Brigantines mounted with sixteen Guns each; a ~loop of fourteen Guns, a Schooner of Six, and two other Sloops appeared a little to windward of the Bar of the Harbour of New Providence; and as it was doubtful what their designs were His Excellency Governor Browne, expecting they wou'd come into the Harbour, order'd the Country to be alarmed & assembled the greatest part of the Militia, the only Force here (the Company of His Majesty's 14th Regiment which had done duty here having been some time ago withdrawn to the Continent) into Fort Nassau, at the West Entrance of the Port, in order to defend the Passage over the Bar, and a Sloop was immediately sent out to discover, if possible, who they were but to no purpose; and when it was thought.they wou'd come into the Harbour they suddenly tacked and stood towards the East, and the Ships and Brigantines being anchored at a place called Hanover Sound, about three Leagues from hence, the Sloops and Schooner proceeded to the east end of this Island, where, before the Militia of Fort Nassau, who were dispatched to the Eastward to reinforce a small party posted in Fort Montagu at the other entrance of the Harbour, with design to oppose the landing of any Troops, cou'd reach the place where they were anchored, they debarqued to the number of about three hundred Men, and the Militia finding themselves too weak to make any opposition were forced to return to Fort Montagu, where the Governor then was, and as it was thought most adviseable to retreat to Fort Nassau, which was the most defensible and where the Powder (except a few Barrels) was lodged, the Governor & Militia return'd then accordingly (after having spiked the Cannon & removed the Powder of Fort Montagu) with design to defend the same soon after the Governor sent an Officer of the Militia to demand of the commanding Officer of those Troops which were landed who they were and what their intentions were in coming hither, who received for Answer they were sent by the Congress of the United Colonies, in order to possess themselves of the Powder and Stores belonging to His Majesty. Sometime after this a paper was handed about amongst the People to the Eastward of the Town, signed by one Esek Hopkins, the Commander in Chief of the Fleet & Forces, in which he promised security of Persons & Property to such as wou'd not oppose his designs 2 which induced several of the Inhabitants to refuse coming to defend the Fort & others to Join the Rebels. Early in the Afternoon the Enemy to[ok] possession of Fort Montagu where they remained until the next Morning; in the mean time a Spirit of Disaffection shewed itself amongst the Inhabitants many of them declaring that they wou'd not fight against the Americans in consequence of which they deserted the Fort in great numbers, so that by ten oClock in the Evening there were not in the fort more than one hundred Men, the Governor Council Militia Officers & even Slaves included; the Governor then called a Council of War consisting of the Council Militia Officers & some of the principal Inhabitants the Majority of whom were of Opinion that the Fort in its then State was not defensible by the few that then remain'd in it; soon after this he advised with his Majesty's Council respecting the sending off the Powder in order to prevent its falling into the hands of the Rebels, which was resolved on & accordingly Shipped for St Augustine to His Excellency Governor Tonyn & at day break the Governor, Council & Officers finding themselves almost entirely deserted, were at last obliged to leave the Fort; soon after which the Rebels entered the same & sent a party to the Government House, which took the Governor as their Prisoner. The next day the large Vessels came into the Harbour and took all the Cannon Morters & Stores &ca belonging to His Majesty in the Forts, on board, and sailed from hence on Saturday last [March 16] carrying with them as Prisoners His Excellency Governor Browne Lieut [James] Babbidge on half Pay & one Mr [Thomas] Irving late belonging to the American Board of Customs, leaving us Altogether defenceless. It is not known where this Force is gone, it is probable that after being joined by a Ship, Brigantine and Sloop, the Maryland part of their Fleet, which was seperated from them, as they say in a Gale off Abacoa, in their way thither they may attempt St Augustine.

After this detail I must now, Sir, beg leave to observe to you, that altho this armament left the place without doing any Injury to private Property, it was much, as I am told, against the inclinations of some of the leading Officers amongst them, who were of such a Stamp as to be capable of comitting any kind of Mischief, and wou'd probably have done much had they not been prevented, more by their Commanders perswasions than Authority over them: by this you will be able to see the precarious and defenceless situation His Majesty's Servants and the well affected part of the Inhabitants will be in shou'd they be hereafter revisited by the Rebels, under a Commander of less humanity & influence, which may be expected, as at the departure of this Fleet it was declared some part shou'd return soon.

This being our Case, I have, with the advice of His Majesty's Council, dispatch'd the Schooner Polly of this place, whereof William Newton is Master, to request that you wou'd afford what assistance you can to prevent His Majesty's Bahama Islands from again falling into the hands of the Rebels who probably may endeavour to make them a place of Rendezvous for their Ships, which will entirely ruin the people and Trade of this Government.

You'l give me leave to request that if you shou'd have an opportunity soon of informing His Majestys Ministers of what has happened here, and the present condition of this place you will, as I shall not be able, for some time to come. I am &c

John Brown