in person deliver to you, as also a keg of some kind of liquid; but finding it impossible for myself to proceed as I then intended, thought proper to send it by Captain Elkison, who I hope will deliver it safe to you.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

ALLAN CAMERON.

CAPTAIN MONTAGU TO ADMIRAL GRAVES.

Kingfisher, off Jamestown, Virginia,

November 14, 1775.

SIR: I beg leave to inform you that a tender of mine, cruising off Ocracoke, took, about the 1st instant, a brig, from Jamaica, laden with salt, rum, sugar, molasses, Irish linens, osnaburgs, woollen jackets, and shoes; and a sloop from Martinique, the Captain of which started his rum in the hold, and was found pumping it out; he also acknowledges to have thrown overboard a quantity of coffee, and "about five hundred and seventy pounds of gunpowder.

Enclosed you have an invoice of the different articles in the brig.

And I am, sir, your very humble servant,

JAMES MONTAGU.

To Samuel Graves, Esq.

An Invoice of the brig Adonis's cargo.

2,000 bushels of salt; 46 casks of molasses; 37 casks of rum; 10 barrels of limes; I bag ginger; 65 pieces of Irish linen; 18 pieces of check linen; 24 bolts of osnaburgs; 53 flannel waistcoats; 93 pairs of shoes; 12 cruppers; 36 girths; 69 round hats.

JAMES MONTAGU.

November 7, 1775.

W. GRIFFIN TO GEORGE GIFFARINA.

Kingfisher, Jamestown, Virginia,

November 14, 1775.

DEAR SIR: This moment the Otter's tender arrived from Norfolk for our despatches for Boston, by which I take this opportunity to inform you that I am still in being; I cannot say in the land of the living, for I dare not show my nose here, being surrounded on each shore by Rebels, who narrowly watch our motions; but by the vigilance of our Captain we harass them much.

The day before our arrival in the river, about a thousand Rebels, from Williamsburgh, got over opposite to Jamestown, where they are now encamped, in order to march down to Norfolk, to attack our few troops there, and to punish the Norfolk people for declaring for Government. Had we but two complete regiments, I make not the least doubt of their reducing the refractory, and restoring peace and good order to this Province.

If there are any letters for me, or the rest of the officers, in your office, beg you will forward them; and at the same time I should esteem it as a favour if you would send me two tons of essence, with a few quires of writing paper, as I cannot get any here.

I am, with great regard, dear sir, your most obedient humble,

W. GRIFFIN.

To George Giffarina, Secretary to Admiral Graves.

P. S. Captain Montagu desires his compliments to you, and should be glad to know if the sloop he carried to Boston with cattle is condemned; if so, should be glad you would forward the money for the ship's company by this opportunity.

NEIL JAMIESON TO MESSRS. GLASSFORD, GORDON AND CO.

Norfolk, Virginia, November 17, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: The annexed is a copy of my last, per the ship Isabella, which ship got to sea, I fancy, about the 23d ultimo. Since that time we have been in very great confusion here, very few people remaining in the town. I don't know a man who had any property left here but myself; but seeing every other person securing their effects, and going off themselves, I began to consider that, if any accident happened to your subjects in my hands, I might be censured; therefore, I bought a small vessel, for which I am to give three hundred pounds; I have put all the rum, sugar, &c., on board of her, and I have all my papers and other things of value lying ready packed up, in order to be put on board this vessel in half an hour, with myself, ready to haul off under the protection of the men-of-war, and proceed to sea, to some place of safety. It is a disagreeable situation to be in, to be lying all night in fear, with loaded arms at your bed-side, for fear of being alarmed or set upon.

Three days ago, our Governour received information of a body of men being assembled in arms at Kemp's Landing, ten miles from hence. His Excellency set off himself, with the most of the troops that are here, (about one hundred and fifty,) and from twenty to thirty volunteers. They came up with these unfortunate people, about two to three hundred of them. They immediately fired on the King's troops. I must be excused from giving you the particulars, as I had it from his Excellency himself, last night, (for he spent the evening here, with me.) In short, these poor people were immediately dispersed and put to the rout, with the loss of a few lives; not any of the King's troops suffered; a sailor, only, shot in the knee.

His Excellency's humanity appeared in a conspicuous light, as he could easily have surrounded and cut off the most of these poor people; but he was satisfied with taking some prisoners. The King's standard was hoisted immediately, and martial law declared. This brush was in Princess-Anne, the neighbouring County.

On the standard being hoisted, many people have come in. There were above five hundred people who came in and declared for Government, and took the oath. If I have time, you may have copy of the oath, &c.

Yesterday, about two o'clock. P. M., his Excellency marched in here, and the King's standard was hoisted, when the principal inhabitants (what few of them were in town) took the oaths to Government, and all in the town signed, to the amount of two hundred.

Several of the principal people concerned in the raising of the poor people in Princess-Anne County, have been taken prisoners, and are now on board the guard-ship. The poor people blame these men much for obliging them to take up arms. May the Lord in his infinite mercy put an end to these troubles, and bring relief to this distressed country.

There is no communication with the upper parts of the country just now, so that I cannot get Mr. Irving's state to send you; and you may easily judge of our present distressed condition, that I cannot apply to the making out of mine here, just now. It's said the principal part of the people up the country, in low circumstances, are for Government, if they were at liberty to declare their sentiments.

Lord Dunmore has applied to me to negotiate some money matters. I am not fond of this business; but if he urges it, and gives the necessary security, I suppose I must comply.

If I had time, I should have made out a scheme for a cargo of goods, to be shipped immediately, on receipt hereof; but, as I am not, at present, very fit to go on such business, I think you could be at no loss in sending out a cargo for this, to the amount of four thousand to five thousand pounds sterling; this is providing you have vessels convenient, of our own, and that you have a prospect of selling your tobacco to advantage, so far as to make you easy in circumstances. I presume there will be open trade at this place soon, although I do not expect tobacco can be shipped home for some considerable time, for the planters have not brought any to the warehouses; and if it was, it could not be brought here; but I think dry-goods will be sold here. What I would propose would be this: providing such a young man could be got that you had a good opinion of, and such as you could take for a partner in this business, in that case the goods might be bought up by him or his friends, and consigned to himself. But recommend him to apply to me, and be under my directions. The sales could go on in his name; and, as a plentiful supply would be ordered, which could come here in safety if the country is brought to order by the time they arrive, then we could supply our upper stores from thence. I could purchase the goods here from the young man that was sent out. I have consulted Lord Dunmore on this head, and will have his interest and assistance, if necessary.