Copy
Sir,

The repeated intelligence from Georgia, and the North of this Province, makes it absolutely requisite, for the safety of the Planters on St John's River, to establish a Naval force thereー

For this purpose I have engaged the Sloop Rebecca Captain Mowbray of ten Gun with nine men of the Captains, and [six] Seamen which I have added, but the late instance to attempt to man her proving ineffectual, I am compelled to request that a detachment of His Majesty's Troops of an Officer and 35 Private may be fixed on Board Captain Mowbray, to act as a Military force in conjunction with the detachment now established on Saint John's River.

His Majestys Schooner St John of four Guns being also to proceed immediately to that River, Lieutenant Grant has made application for a Serjeant and twelve, to be fixed on Board the said Schoonerー

I am therefore compelled from the situation of that part of His Majesty's Province, to request of you, that the above Assistance be given to the above mentioned Vessels, With all imaginable dispatch, who have received directions to proceed forthwith to St Johns River-

Mr [Andrew] Turnbull at Smyrnea having represented the Mutinous disposition of the Settlers under his management and his apprehensions of their designs, obliges me to request that the detachment now there may be augmented to eighteen or twenty men. I have the honour to be with regard and esteem Sir [&c.]

Council Chamber St Augustine Septr 5th 1776 —

Colonel Prevost Commanding Officer

[Endorsed] Copy Governor Tonyn's letter to Colonel Prevost No 1 In Govr Tonyn's of 8th Septr 1776 (No 24)