Sir,  I beg the favour of your Excellency, to acquaint any of the Captains of His Majesty's Sloops of War that the Powder Magazine was broke open on the 14th Inst & about 100 Barrels stole out ー It may be supposed that they would have taken away all the Gunpowder, but I imagine they thought the remaining Barrels of Gunpowder would not bear removing for it seems one of the Barrels (near the Water's Edge) we may suppose the head came out. It is imagined that it may be carried off, either to Philadelphia or South Carolina, as a correspondence by some of the Inhabitants of this Place hath been carried on to those two places. And a Sloop belonging to Virginia called the Lady Catherine in Ballast Bound to Philadelphia, Geo Ord Master, was seen under Sail the next morning, but could not be overtaken by the Custom house boat; And likewise a Schooner called the Charles Town and Savannah Packet, John Turner, Master, belonging to South Carolina with 2,000 Sawed Stones, bound to Barbadoes, but perhaps may have altered her Voyage & may be gone to South Carolina, she cleared out the 11th Augt at the same time the Sloop did & was under sail the 15th of Augt in the morning, but the Custom house Boat could not overtake either of them. This is certainly a most daring & Villianous Crime. As this place from its' remote situation, might otherwise have remained easy and unconcerned, as it is greatly to be feared that some of the Inhabitants must have given assistance, I hope your Excellency will be able to perswade some of His Majts Captains of Men of War to call here for further Intelligence, and to acquaint Genl [Thomas] Gage of it, & likewise his Majts Ministers at home. As I have endeavoured to Charter or Hire a Bermuda Vessel to carry some live Stock to the General, Mrs Gage &ca and to some of the Sick & Wounded, & they have all refused me, giving for answer, that their Vessel would be burnt. I have the honor to be &c.

Bermuda 22d. of Augt. 1775

P.S, I am in great tribulation fearing I may have lost either one or two Sons