Sir:
I have been favored to-day with your Excellency’s letter of the 16th instant.
At this period it is a matter of very great difficulty for us to afford any naval assistance to the Coast of Carolina, as we are blocked up in the Bay by forces far superior to any we could send there. But if I learn by the intelligence which your Excellency has ordered to be dispatched to me that the Enemy has put himself in a situation as may give us prospect of some advantage over him, I shall immediately acquaint Mr. De La Villebrune with it, who no doubt will send, if possible, to annoy them as much as will be in his power.
P. S.—Give me leave to observe to your Excellency that it is
with active Militia only, that it can be hoped that the Coast can be protected from all the little depredations which may be done by an armament of so little strength.