Gentlemen We are at this Time unhappily convulsed, not only by external, but internal Enemies. A number of People, in different Parts of this County particularly Merumsco and Perrehawkin, have for some days past been assembling in a disorderly and tumultuous manner, and we have reason to beleive from a Series of Concurrent Circumstances, that a Plan has been concerted between them and the Ministerial Forces. We have certain Intelligence that two Ten-Gun Sloops, an Armed Schooner and a Pilot Boat, were yesterday in our Sound, that five of Capt Gunbys men who, deserted the Evening before, were on board those Vessells, and that they took off a considerable Quantity of Stock from different Places. A Wealthy Farmer, Wm Roberts, living near the Water, on a Place called damn'd Quarter,² was last Night taken from his Bed, confined and carried off by the Enemy, together with a number of his Slaves and a Considerable Part of his Property.

We are also well assured that the old offender Isaac Atkinson is now with our Enemy and doubt not but from his Knowledge of our Situation, they may direct their Operations much to our Disadvantage. We have called to our Assistance Capt Watkins's Company from Worcester and have by this Express transmitted a State of our Case to Dorchester. We are informed that a Battalion of Riffle men are now in Sussex County, and we imagine they might be had to our Assistance, but we thought it improper to take any Steps for that Purpose untill we had your Approbation and Direction. Upon Examination we incline to think that not more than three or four Hundred of our Militia can be well equipped for Action and perhaps not more than that number be depended upon; Capts Gunby and Watkins yesterday marched their Companies down Annemessex and we are agreeably surprized to hear that a Number of the People joined them.

We hope your respectable Body will consider our Situation and direct such Steps as May be deemed necessary for our Preservation ー

Signed by order of the Committee