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Sir

The last Advices from West Florida represent that Province to be in a State of great Alarm, on Account of the depredations committed by a Party of the Rebels upon the Mississippi and the Reports they spread of a larger Body preparing to follow them, intending to establish themselves in that Country. I trust the Measures taken by Gov^r. Chester and the Superintendant,¹ will have had the Effect to prevent those Plunderers doing further mischief and that you will have arrived in time to repel any more serious Attack that might have been meditated by a greater Number. But as the Command of the Navigation of the Mississippi & of the Communications from thence to the Indian Nations in the Southern District is essential to the Security of His Majesty’s Possessions in West Florida, and to the protection of the King’s faithful Subjects, and their Property, and also of great Importance to the Trade of this Country, it is determined immediately to establish a considerable Post upon that River. The Situation that appears most proper for the purpose is the Entrance of the Mississippi into the Ibberville at or near the place where Fort Bute stood.² But it is left to your Judgement assisted by the engineer to fix upon the Spot. I am therefore to signify to you the King’s Command that you do, with all convenient dispatch, proceed to the Mississippi taking with you such part of the Troops under your Command as you shall think necessary and the proper Persons in the Engineer’s Department, together with such Ordnance, and a proportion of Stores as may be wanted and can be spared from Pensacola, and there lay out and erect a Fort of such Form, and as capacious as you shall judge proper, taking care that it be so constructed as to be capable of being defended by a Garrison of 300 Men for which Number Barracks are to be provided and a Magazine also built. As this is intended to be a permanent Establishment, the Materials should be of the most durable Nature that can be procured in the Country and the best adapted to resist the Effect of the Climate, and the greatest frugality is to be observed in the procuring of them, and in every part of the Work. And I think it necessary to recommend to you, to pay particular Attention to these Circumstances, as Experience has shewn that all the Works hitherto constructed in West Florida except the Barracks built at Pensacola by Captain Hutchinson³ have been only a Waste of the public Money. The Officers of the Board of Ordnance will receive Orders to draw upon that Board for defraying the Expence, but as the Works are to be carried on conformable to your directions and under your Orders, your Certificate expressing your Approbation of the Service for which the Bills are drawn, will be necessary to accompany them in order to secure their payment and every Voucher that is transmitted must carry a Mark of having been inspected by you.

If you shall find that the great Width of the Mississippi & the Rapidity of the Current at certain Seasons may make it necessary to have a floating Guard upon that River for the effectual Security and Command of the Navigation, you are to build or provide two or more Row Gallies properly armed for that purpose, to be manned occasionally by the Troops of the Garrison, and a proper Dock for them to lie in under the protection of the Guns of the Fort, must be prepared.

Governor Chester acquaints me in his last dispatch that the Works which M^r Durnford had been constructing at Pensacola were fallen into Ruin as soon as finished & that in consequence of the Representation of Lieutenant Colonels Stiell & Dickinson and Captain Johnstone he had directed him to provide other Materials and set about other Works for the Defence of the Place.⁴ It is however His Majesty’s pleasure that you should take these Works also under your direction, and I have acquainted Governor Chester that nothing of that Nature is to be undertaken or carried on in the Province, nor any Troops raised but by your Orders. The Governor also acquaints me that he had issued Commissions for raising two Provincial Corps. You will soon be able to form a Judgement whether it will be necessary to continue them on foot. If the War continues and you have Instructions from Sir Henry Clinton to undertake any Operations against the Rebellious Colonies they may be of Use, but if a Treaty takes place they will of course be disbanded.

I have only further to recommend to you to take every precaution to avoid disputes with or giving Occasion of Offence to the Subjects of Spain, or the Indians in Alliance with Us. At the same time it is the King’s express Command that you do give all proper Protection and Countenance to His Majesty’s faithful Subjects in carrying on their lawful Commerce, and in cultivating & improving their Lands. I am &c.