N^o. 57
My Lord;

Since my former letters to your Lordship, I have had various reports of the intentions of the rebels to invade this province, with considerable force. 

The plan is formed by the continental Congress, and your Lordship will see by the enclosures, what progress they have made in the execution.¹

The Carolinians it seems apprehend no danger this Season from the north, and are to employ their whole force to reduce this province. 

The State of the Carrysfort obliges Captain Fanshawe to go to the northward,² he carries a state of the province to be laid before Lord Viscount Howe and the General.³ Captain Jordan of the Galatea is the only King's Ship on the Coast.⁴

I was in hopes the Hinchinbrook and Rebecca would have been sufficient for our defense, untill Lord Viscount Howe's operations extended southward: but I find that they would not have been adequate to oppose this formidable rebel armament.⁵ 

I am, my Lord, preparing with the utmost deligence two Brigs into Gallies, as I had the honour to mention in my last letter,⁶ and am constructing two floating Batteries to be mounted with twenty four pounders. I purpose likewise to engage such privateers as I can procure that are fit for the river navigation. 

I am obliged to apply a part of the Fort Guns for the Gallies and the floating Batteries, and will endeavour to fall on some expedient to replace them.⁷

[All the Indians my Lord agree in confirming the peaceable talk given out to the Creek Nation by M^r Stuarts Agents,⁸ and some of them aver, a talk to the very same effect, was given to the confidential men in private at Pensacola by M^r Stuart. The bad effects of this Talk is now most sensibly felt here. The Indians that are come do not exceed a hundred, they also tell me the same measures have been recommended by the Superintendent to the Ocony King, the Cowkeeper and all the Seminoles.⁹ There, my Lord, the object of the rebels is attained to make the Indians neutral, as they failed in their attempts to persuade them to take a decisive side against His Majesty's interest. 

I shall, my Lord, notwithstanding exert my utmost to bring them down, I will dispatch expresses to the Commissaries in the Nation, the Superintendent, and a letter to the Indians to that purport.] 

I have issued a proclamation desiring all the Inhabitants, who are not incorporated in the militia, to take arms and to be aiding and assisting in all capacities to His Majesty's Service. 

Brigadier General Prevost¹⁰ has embodied two hundred and fifty of the Refugees lately come into the province, and has put them under the direction of his Brother Major Prevost,¹¹ who is to discipline them. 

General Prevost and myself are making all possible preparations for the enemies reception. I have the honour to be [&c.]

S^t. Augustine 15^th. May 1778