[Extract]

. . . this Morning a Party of Light Infantry went to a place called Darby within 8 Miles of this Town & about 10 oClock brought 5 Tons of Gunpowder which was landed down the River out of a Pilot Boat that came from Eustacia, twenty more are there taking in Powder  it now has become a brisk Trade  the Congress give great encouragement to any that will run the risque . . . I fear I shall not be able to send any Intelligence in future as all the Ports of America is to be shut by order of Congress & Trade stop'd at or upon the first of Septemr next, yet they have invited the French, Dutch & Danes, inhabiting the West Indies, to send the Produce of their Islands in their own Bottoms, & they should have the produce of this Country in Barter, at same time desire they may have Convoys from their respective Nations, this is looked on as a Noble Scheme to engage England in a War. ー What I have wrote & my Intention is to shew their Lordships that a Sloop of War is not sufficient to prevent the Smuggling of Warlike Stores into this River, it is very long & has many Creeks where those Pilot Boats go into & discharge their Cargoes of Gunpowder, if their Lordships pleased to order two or three Cruizers off the Capes of Virginia Delawar & to the Soward of Long Island, I make no doubt but many of these small Vessels may be taken. ー A Schooner came in here a few days ago which brought Powder stowed under Molasses, when she came up she hoisted French Jack, Ensign & Pendant, I have lived here these five years past & never saw so many French Men in the time as are here now . . . Two 40 Gun Ships to come up to this Town would oblige them to supply Provisions for the use of the Army & Navy at Boston.