378 | To Lord Colvill

    Castle William Aug: 27 1765

    My Lord

    The Commotions of this Town are got to such a Pitch, that it is now in an actual State of Rebellion. Last Night the House of [the] Lt: Governor was destroyed with every thing in it, himself narrowly escaping. Two other Houses were also destroyed Capt. Hallowells & Mr Storys Register of the Admiralty: From the latter All the Records of the Court of Admiralty were taken out & burnt before the Door. In the Lt Govrs: house was 1000 Pounds Sterling in Specie besides a valuable Collection of Manuscripts which he had been gathering all his Life time.1 Mr Paxtons House was attacked but bought off by the Owner of it. Many other Houses are threatned with like execution both in Town & Country.

    I don’t know what to ask of your Lordship upon this Occasion: but think it absolutely necessary that ev’ry person having Command under his Majesty should contribute every thing in his Power to Preserve this place from utter ruin from a merciless Mob who have the Dominion of the Town every night. There is no Ship of War here but Capt Bishops, whom I have engaged to wait the coming in of the Ship which brings the Stamps, which without his Protection would infallibly be destroyed.2 There is not a Corps of Regulars within 200 miles of this Place: nor is there any at New York, I beleive, that can be spared. The Castle is threatned to be attacked, if the Stamps should be lodged there: The Garrison consists of 60 Men full complement; & I have no means to reinforce it.

    I must desire your Lordship to communicate this to Govr: Wilmot; I desire Capt: Bishop to put it under his Cover, as mine may cause it to be suspected; for I know not whom to trust

      I am &c

    The Lord Colville

    PS: Aug: 283

    I have just received Advice that the Town was kept quiet last Night by Parties of the Militia & Cadet Guards, which I ordered out Yesterday afternoon.4 But Temporary Tranquillity is very deceitful

    L, LbC BP, 4: 64-65.