Dear Sir

I have received your letter of the 26th instant by Mr. Smith, and am very Sorry, tho not Surprized to learn that you think it necessary to leave Annapolis. The Province of Maryland has hitherto been looked upon as having acted with a degree of moderation in the present unnatural Rebellion subsisting in the Colonies, and I confess I had great hopes from your continuing in your Government, that you might have been able to have convinced the people, of the impossibility of their succeeding in the plan they are now pursuing (the only motive I fear that will have any weight with them in bringing them back to their allegiance) but as you certainly have now given it a very fair Tryal, and it is become apparent that the matter can only be Settled by force of Arms, I confess that, I think your remaining longer among them, would only be exposing yourself to insults, and would answer no good purpose to His Majesty's Service. I shall therefore very Soon send one of the Kings Ships to receive you on board, and will give orders that she shall commit no hostilities at Annapolis whilst on that Service: But as no officers in his Majesty's Service can be supposed to allow of the smallest insult being offered with impunity to the British Colours it will be necessary for you to inform the persons that assume the Government of the people; that if the Peace is not very Strictly observed on the part of the Rebels, with regard to the Boats, as well as the Ship, during the time it may be necessary for her to Stay on the Coast of Maryland, that any orders that I may issue for the purpose, will not restrain the Captain of the Ship from Acting as he shall think proper upon any such occasion.

Had I not received your letter you would certainly have heard from me in a few days, to have acquainted you, that His Excellency Lord Dunmore Governor of this Colony and myself with the joint forces under our command, left Norfolk the 23d instant and put into this harbour on the 28 in Order to complete our wood and water, where we at present remain. I have the honor to be Dr Sir [&c.]