"Since the Washington American Privateer appeared off here, and plundered the Settlement as well as carried off the Shipping, the Settlers are afraid of every Vessel they see making for the Land, imagining it is another American Privateer come to pay them a second visit, and should they come they may play the same Game over again, as they have no Defence, Fortifications not being allowed by the Spaniards when the Grant was made of a Settlement. Notice is gone up to Admiral Gayton at Jamaica,¹ hoping that he will send down some Ship of War to protect the People from the American Depredations; at present the Trade is rather at a Stand, from a Fear of their Insecurity. I can assure you if they are again molested they will certainly break up the Settlement, the Loss of which I need not inform you of, or what the English will suffer by it."