A gentleman of the name of Smith has just now lodged seven of the leaders of the Regulators in Halifax jail, among whom are four of the Fields. The names of the others I do not know, but neither Hunter nor Piles are amongst them. He informs me that the insurrection is entirely suppressed with respect to the Regulators, and says he thinks the Highlanders are dispersed before now. I do not give implicit credit to this last mentioned conjecture, because we have later accounts than Mr Smith's, (who was only as low down, I believe, as Chatham Court House,) which contradict it. However it is clear to me that there will not be a gun fired upon this occasion; for the number of our troops (not less perhaps than five thousand) will undoubtedly awe the Highlanders into submission, if they are not already dispersed. Governor Martin, it seems, had kept up a correspondence with the disaffected in the western part of this Province, and formed a plan of insurrection, issued Colonels' commissions to many Counties for this purpose, and ordered that such men as should take arms should repair to the Royal standard, at Brunswick, by the 15th of this month, promising that they should be then and there supported by five thousand Regulars.
Your mind being relieved from all anxiety for us, you will be at full liberty to exert all your powers for the good of Virginia; and I flatter myself that your conduct will bring credit to your County, and honour to yourself.