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demanded of him, which he Immediately sent in. the last
Accts from Norfolk say their Fortifications were not then
Finished, they were busily Imploy’d & preparing a Number
of Cannon, which it’s supposed are Mounted by this
time. I am happy to find the steps I have ventured to take
are agreeable to the Wishes of your Hon'le Boddy. The Enemys
Fort, I think, might have been taken, but not without the
loss of many of our Men, their Situation is very advantageous,
& no way to Attack them, but by exposing most
of the Troops to their Fire upon a large open Marsh.
my Instructions impower me to call in sufficient aid
from the Minute Men & Militia of the adjacent countys,
but from what I have seen of the people, none of them
are to be depended upon (a few Gentlemen excepted) &
I really must give it as my opinion that more Countys
then Norfolk & Princess Ann would have obey'd the
orders of Lo Dunmore in a few Days, if Colo Scotts party
had not march'd as they did. I have seen no men that
seem inclined to act viorously with us, except Capt.
Parkers Company from Smithfield, who I shall order
down, Twenty odd Volunteers join'd us under Colo. Wells, I
[Impress'd?] 8 Horses to send for intelligence into the different
parts of the Country, & supposing them t be better acquainted,
put them into their care, Colo. Wells, his Brother & a
few others remain with us now, the rest of the Gentlemen
have gone Home without saying a word to me.