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Sir I have by this Conveyance sent you the result of his Majesty's Council upon the present Circumstances of the Colony upon a Supposed intended Invasion; the Americans may project an Invasion for several purposes, to deprive the Armies from any supplies from hence, to possess themselves of the Militiary Stores here, among which are near 300 pieces of Cannon, Serviceable & unserviceable, but perhaps principally to destroy his Majesty's Naval Yard.

I am of Opinion that at present the most effectual method of securing the Military Small Stores, with the Powder, will be to put them on Board some Small Vessels to lay under the protection of the Tartar, till Transports can be sent & employed for that purpose, & shall accordingly put it in practice. I am also of a Opinion that some place of defence should be made by Block Houses, & Picketts for the securing the Cannon, & that the Citadel Hill would be the most proper Place for such defence which I apprehend may be done at no great expence.

That this precaution if put into Execution would not only defeat the purposes & designs of the Rebells, but upon their receiving Advice of such works being erected, it would even prevent their Attempting it.

I am Obliged at this time to desire of your Excellency that the Troops here may be exchanged for others who may be Obedient to such Orders as it will be necessary for me to give, for the defence & Protection of this Province, more especially as I have great reason to believe that the militia here is not to be Depended upon, & we have many of them inimical to the measures of Government & perhaps might be rather aiding to destroy than preserve the Stores & Magazines here.

Captain [Edward] Meadows is so apprehensive of the insecurity of the Yard that he had Signified to the Council his readiness to go into the Bay of Fundy, yet upon some more weighty Consideration is of Opinion that his Ships Stay here at present is immediately Necessary for its protection. I am [&c.]