Governor Dobbs, a few weeks before his death, acquainted me Captain John Dalrymple obtained in 1761 or the beginning of 1762, a commission from his Majesty, appointing him Captain and Commander of Fort Johnston on Cape Fear River, That on his arrival in this Province he behaved in a very disrespectful manner to the Governor, insisting he was not under the Governor's authority, but acting solely under the command of his Majestys Commander in Chief of the forces in America; in consequence of which conduct, the Governor put Mr Dalrymple under an arrest; which arrest I understood Mr Dalrymple broke, left the province in 1762, and has never returned since. I hope as this fort is the only one remaining in the province, and this, very weak in its construction, I may be allowed to recommend a gentleman, whose spirit, diligence and integrity I entertain a good opinion of; I do therefore request the favor of you, Sir, to lay before his Majesty, the name of Mr. Robert Howe, as an officer qualified to bear his Majesty's commission, as commander of Fort Johnstone, He is a native of Carolina, served in the last wars against the Indians, and is at present a Representative in the House of Assembly. Lord Adam Gordon, who did me the honour of passing a few days with me in his tour thro' America, will speak to the character of this gentleman.