As we are every Summer, often alarmed by the troublesome Visits of the British Ships of War up this River, I will be greatly obliged to your Excellency for an Order on Captain Frothingham to supply me, when I call on him with a Piece of Artillery [an] Officer and a few Artillery Men that I might [ha]ve it in my Power to Speak to them in their own Language, the Captain has an Eighteen Pounder a Twelve, and a Nine on travelling Carrages, I shall only want artillery when they are not wanted at the Garrison, and will cover them with any Number of Militia, your Excellency may please to direct, & as soon as I have done using the Piece I will deliver it to the garrison—I have the Honor to be with Respect your Excellency’s most Obt Servt