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Gentlemen  I was informed in the Country and in Town since my Return, that a very unhappy Outrage has been lately committed by burning a Vessel in West River, within your District, and destroying, and plundering her Cargoe.

I wish to have the best Information on this Matter, & therefore Apply to You, as in your Department you may be able to give it. Reports are so indistinct that I know not what to depend upon. I have heard the Affair was taken up, & examined by one of the Committees, and that this Act of Violence was against their Sentiments, as well as against the general Opinion and Inclination.

The Violence may be imputed to a general Disposition unless Suspicion be obviated by a just Representation, and I should be sorry that a general Reproach and Censure should be the Consequence of an Outrage committed by a few Rash and licentious Individuals. It will be expected from Me that I should give a Circumstantial Account of this alarming, irritating, violent Procedure; it is expedient for the general Interest & Welfare, of the Country, that such dangerous Violations of Order, and Property be checked; and I think it my Duty, by fixing the Charge of Violence and Depredation on the real Perpetrators, to prevent undeserved Imputations on the Innocent, and therefore request that You will give me the fullest and best Information that You have received, and are able to obtain of the Circumstances of this Outrage, and of the Persons concerned in it. I shall thereby be enabled to Act as my Duty and Inclination direct, and am,

With Concern at having this Occasion of giving you Trouble, Gentlemen [&c.]

Honble B. Calvert, Collr
Honble J. Ridout, N Officer
Wm. Eddis Esqr Surveyor.

Annapolis District