Sir,

Captain Duncan¹ has delivered to me the Copy of the circular Letter from the Secretary of State,² and the Message he was charged with by Your Excellency,³ respecting your Determination to grant Letters of Marque conformable to the Tenor of it, as soon as you shall be furnished with the requisite Authorities from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 

Persuaded of the dangerous Consequences that must ensue to the King's Service by the Temptation thereby offered the Seamen to withdraw from the Transports, on which the Subsistence of the Army immediately and entirely depends, as well as from the Ships of War, I trust that you will in regard thereof be prevailed on to postpone the Issue of such Letters of Marque; at least in the present Circumstances of the War, or untill the King's further Pleasure (if deemed necessary to be taken) can be had upon the Matter.⁴ 

I am more particularly encouraged to hope for this Testimony of your Indulgence, when I consider the Tenor and Spirit of the circular Letter, which, as I conceive, is not obligatory, nor indeed applicable to the State of this Province. 

The Letter obviously respects the Province in which the civil Government is regularly exercised and the Laws are still in Force. 

Application is to be made to the Assemblies regarding the Maintenance and Security of the Prisoners: And as a necessary Ground for the Operation of that civil Authority, it is presupposed that the Captures will be brought into some Port within your Government whereas, by the late restraining Acts, the special Licence of the Commissioners therein mentioned, is required for exempting this Port from the Effect of the general Prohibition extended in the case to all the Provinces not in the King's Peace. I have the Honor to be, &c.