[Extract]
(No 28)

My Lord My last letters Numbers 26 and 27 contain Accounts of the principal occurrences in the Commotions raised on the pretence of my having removed the Gun Powder.

After the attempt made upon the Receiver General nothing material was undertaken, except by abusive publications in the News papers to raise, to the utmost pitch of extravagance, the prejudices and intemperance of the approaching Assembly, which, in effect, began without any Symptoms of a disposition to disapprove of the violences committed or even to discourage their further progress . . . It happened likewise a day or two after the meeting of the Assembly that two Men were wounded. in attempting in the Night to rob the Magazine of Arms, by the discharge of a Musket loaded with large Shot, which had been placed by the keeper in a window in such a manner that any person, forcing thro' it, would fire the Gun against himself; The Crime in this Affair was entirely overlooked, but the punishment inflicted, by the hands of the Criminals on themselves irritated very much; and the Cry among the People was for Vengeance.

Among the first proceedings of the Assembly was the appointing a Committee to examine into the State of the Magazine; and the day after the two men were wounded, about Noon a Number of Persons from the Town and Country forced into it, and, in presence of Several of the Burgesses, took out the remainder of about 400 Stand of Arms, part of which had been before, at different times, Carried off by the People that found means of Secretly getting in thro' the windows; and a Considerable quantity of different Stores were likewise taken away. The above mentioned Committee then made a great merit of having, as they informed me, interposed and endeavoured, though without effect, to prevail on the People to return the Arms, but without applying for my orders or Consent, they Seized this pretence for appointing a Military Guard to Mount upon the Magazine, who have been Continued ever Since by the Same, on no better Authority; and the Command of Militia, as well as the Custody of Magazines and publick Stores of Arms and Ammunition is thus entirely wrested out of the hands of the Governor.

A feigned report was Spread that a party of Men were again Marching from His Majesty's Ship to my assistance; which occasioned an affected allarm and gave pretence for their Armed Men to assemble, who have not hesitated to declare their intention of attacking the Kings Forces, if they landed, from the Ship.

These disorders promising little Success in the great business which had been the principal object of calling the Assembly; and as their cause was ascribed to the removal of the Powder, in hopes of appeasing the minds of the Members and inducing them to proceed in their deliberations I offered, by the Message herewith inclosed, to return the Powder, as soon as I should See the Magazine made Suffitiently Secure for its preservation; but the same heated and irassible temper continued Nevertheless; My house was kept in continual allarm, and threatned every night with an assault. Surrounded therefore as I was with Armed Men, in the very place of my Residence, and in the Neighbourhood who were raised in difiance of my Authority, and pay no obedience to it, but assemble and Act as their will directs, nor are they to be controled even by the Power which they are intended to Support; and Situated so far from any place where men of War can approach, the Nearest being five Miles, I could not think it Safe to continue any longer in that City, but Judged it would be best, in all respects, for Carrying on His Majesty's Service to remove to the Ship of War which is Stationed here, where I have for the present fixed my Residence, and where most probably I shall be obliged to remain untill I receive his Majesty's Instructions . . .

The Assembly are still Sitting, and my intention is not to give them any interruption; a point arises, which is not easy to adjust, in regard of giving my assent to the laws passed this Session. The House of Burgesses have insinuated a fear of going on board Ship, least a design be formed at Carrying them to England which is what is Spread abroad as another means of inflaming; and under the appearance of this apprehension the Speaker has two Sentinels from the Guard at his door. I have received some verbal Messages to desire me to return for the purpose of passing the Bills, or to receive the House at York, or assent by Commission, I have however Signified that I expect to be attended by the House on board His Majesty's Ship which is equally a protection for them as for me . . .

The Country in every part of it manifest no other disposition than for resisting the Authority of Government. Bodies of men are every where Set on foot, arming and dissipling with great diligence, and appearing in uniforms. His Majesty's English Subjects, indentured Servants, are Compelled to take Arms and Submit themselves to all orders they shall receive; Some of these have escaped to the Ship of War, the only protection they can meet with now the laws have no operation. Some pieces of iron ordnance left at Hampton in James River from a Man of War in the Course of last War, have been Secretly carried off and concealed, and others from places, that formerly had been batteries upon the Rivers, have been in like manner removed. These particulars Joined to the open violences of which your Lordship has had the most Authentick testimonies transmitted, the Addresses of the Burgesses in Answer to the plan of Accommodation, it was hoped they would adopt, and the actual Situation to which I am reduced have made me Judge it requisite to communicate [the] intelligence of them to your Lordship by the Safest and most Speedy Means, I have accordingly by application to Captain [George] Montagu obtained the Magdalen Armed Schooner Commanded by Lieutenant Henry Collins to be dispatched on this Service; This Gentleman has been employed upon the Coast of America these Six years, and a great deal in this particular Colony, and he is thoroughly qualified by his abilities as well as experience to give your Lordship much usefull information. . . .

I think it proper to Suggest to your Lordship, that it may be found Necessary to establish a regular Communication along the Coast for the purpose of Conveying intelligence from one Government to another as the Post by Land will become most probably very precarious.

In consequence of my application to General [Thomas] Gage and Admiral [Samuel] Graves, the Otter Sloop of War has been Sent here, and orders for Sixty Men from St Augustine and for the Company now in the Island of [New] Providence of His Majesty's 14th regiment to be brought to this Colony.

Though I can expect no great assistance from so Small a body of men against a very numerous People in Arms who have declared they will Suffer no Troops to Land, yet I am preparing Vessels to Send for them Nevertheless and I intend to keep them on board Ship, or in places on Shore difficult to be attacked and under the protection of the Men of War, always ready to reimbark; and by being in that manner prepared to move expeditiously to any part of the Colony, as the great Rivers here admit, I shall be able, if not to quell Insurections, to keep the Country in some Awe of Government . . .

Ever since I have removed from Williamsburg every art has been tried to induce me to put myself again in their Power, in order to which the fears which I have expressed, they say were without foundation; however finding they could not accomplish their ends their patience exhausted and last night the 24th of June, a considerable body of men violently forced into the Governon house, bursting open a Window by which one part entered who then forced the principal door by which the rest entered, and they carried off all the Arms they could find to the number of between two and three hundred Stand, which had been always kept in the Hall of this house, and considerable Number of Muskets and other Arms my own Property; what other depredation has been Committed I am not yet able to learn.