My Lord,

My last letter to your Lordship, was the 20^th September, since which no safe conveyance has gone from hence.

After Major Small's return here with his Detachment,¹ Lieut: Governor Arbuthnot & I, form'd a plan for taking Post at the entrance of Saint John's River. I order'd from this place a framed Blockhouse ready to erect, and sent four Six Pounders, with a proportion of Stores; and at the desire of the Inhabitants, I have given the Command to my Major of Brigade; as he has a thorough knowledge of his profession, as well as of the people and the Country.

This plan has frustrated that of the Rebels, who had prepared every thing at Machias, for to be beforehand with me; and are now assembled under the Command of one Allen at Machias,² where they have mounted Cannon and thrown up Lines; but yesterday I had a letter from Brigade Major Studholme,³ who is only a Captain in Lieut^t: Colonel Goreham's Provincial Corps,⁴ informing me that he has work'd day and night to get his Post in proper Order: and that with his abattis and pickets, he has no fear of quitting his Post, by any force that can come that way: he informs me of one Crabtree a Pirate⁵ landing some Men out of an eight Gun schooner, to destroy that whole settlement, but instantly fled on hearing that Captain Studholme had taken post there.

I now beg leave to assure your Lordship, that all last summer, the coast of this Province, was infested with small Pirate vessels, which took several Merchantmen in sight of our Light house; nay had the insolence to come into the North West Arm; and by good information, one Leech has made ten thousand Pounds, by taking English Merchantmen last summer—Were I not to report this to your Lordship, I should be as great a Rebel as Leech.

I have often mention'd to the Lieutenant Governor while the retaken Ships were sold here, the Rebellion would never be put an end to; for they are instantly bought up, & sent out on the same wicked plan to distress our trade.

The Gage an arm'd vessel,⁶ Sir William Howe;⁷ left here under my Command, lately run on shore one of those little Pirate sloops; she was put up to be sold; when I heard of the Rebel set that wanted to buy her I order'd her to be bought for His Majesty's use; as I shall man her well, to watch the motions of the Rebels; and as Sir George Collier, who now commands the Navy Department has said, whatever Prizes either the Gage or that sloop take; the first King's Ship shall take them from them; which has damp'd the Officers, who have the Command of them.

I most humbly pray your Lordship will enclose me, three or four letters of Marque and I will answer for it, I will keep the Bay of Fundy safe, which is the protection of this Province.

Lieut^t: Governor Arbuthnot and myself have ever agreed in that point, as well as in almost every other, and I much regret he lost the Command of His Majesty's Ships here; as he is a most excellent Officer, and had he the management; those trifling Pirates, dare not have appear'd on this Coast; without meeting the fate they merit.

General Burgoyne's misfortune has given new spirits to all the ill affected people of this Province; and as no Officer in the King's Service knew the Country, General Burgoyne had to march through better than myself.

The late Lord Howe's⁸ movements with an American Army (who I had the honour to serve with last war) should have been adopted: which was: no Baggage, nor no heavy Artillery: had that method been pursued, a flying Army would have got safe to Albany.

I must say without any Orders, I sent Two Detachments, towards the Eastern Coast, to cause Alarms, as much to employ and keep at home their Banditti, for to favour the Northern Army as any other motive; though I could not have expected to succeed by such small Detachments, when such numbers, might have appear'd against them; but on such circumstances, the Officers Commanding had my Orders, how to act; so that I did not risk the King's Troops.

I have one more remark, that I think is my duty, to lay before your Lordship; and have no other motive I declare, but the honour I bear my King, and the old Country

All the goods brought here in prizes, have been sold at an exorbitant price for to supply the Rebels; & that trade has gone on here, though I have as often spoke of it; and some people told me they did not think it my business.

But your Lordship may enquire of M^r Newton,⁹ the Collector of this Port: now in England; and he left a Deputy, M^r Binney¹⁰ here, who seems full as well inclin'd to serve that side. The method taken, is, for to give clearances to the Ships from this to Liverpool; (a most Rebellious place in this Province) or to any of the Ports in the Bay of Fundy; and thus have the Enemies, of Great Britain been constantly supplied.

Governor Legge¹¹ will inform your Lordship, that he knew the two above mention'd Men too well, to let such villainy go on.

I am certain no method will prevent it; but small armed vessels, under the Order of Lieut^t: Governor Arbuthnot, and if Lieutenant Russell, who is a favourite of M^r Arbuthnot's, had the Command of a small well arm'd vessel; his knowledge of the Coast, as well as of the people, who assist the Rebellion: I will engage to say, he will do more service for his Country, than any ten Frigates on this Coast. I am [&c.]