ment of two hundred and fifty continental infantry and thirty artillerists, with two field pieces, under the command of colonel C. C. Pinckney, to join him from Charleston; and called on the governor of Georgia for three hundred and fifty militia. He also ordered colonel Bull's and colonel Williamson's regiments of Carolina militia, to rendezvous at Purysburgh, fifteen miles above Savannah.

James Mercer from St. Augustine, arrived at Savannah on the 21st of April, and was examined on oath before William Stephens, attorney-general. He stated that he sailed from St. Augustine on the 17th, under pretence of coming to St. John's; that a number of troops under the command of general Provost, had marched, and were destined for Alatamaha; three hundred loyalists had arrived at St. Mary's from the interior of Carolina and Georgia, and had placed themselves under the command of colonel Brown; and that seven hundred more were on their march, and soon expected; that an express had brought intelligence from the Creek nation, that a body of Indians were on their march to join general Provost, on the Alatamaha; and that the object of this combined force, was to attack Georgia,

At this time colonel Elbert was posted at fort Howe. He had been informed that the brigantine Hinchenbrook, the sloop Rebecca, and a prize brig were lying at Frederica. He marched with three hundred men to Darien, where they were embarked on board of three gallies :-the Wash

ington, captain Hardy; the Lee, captain Braddock; and the Bulloch, captain Hatcher; and a detachment of artillery, under captain Young, on board of a flat. With this force he effected a landing at Pike's bluff, about a mile and an half from Frederica; leaving colonel John White on board of the Lee; captain George Melvin on board of the Washington; and lieutenant Pettey on board of the Bulloch; each with a detachment of troops, equal to offensive or defensive operations. Immediately after landing, Elbert detached major Roberts and lieutenant Rae with one hundred men, who marched up to the town and took three marines and three sailors of the Hinchenbrook's crew: as it was then late in the night, the gallies did not engage until the next morning, for which purpose they drew up in order. The unexpected attack damped the spirits of the enemy, and they took to their boats and escaped down the river. Captain Ellis of the Hinchenbrook was drowned, and nine of his crew taken prisoners. Colonel White and captain Melvin took the prize brig without opposition: the crew followed the example of their companions, took to their boats and escaped.

The success attending this enterprise, encouraged colonel Elbert in making an attempt against the Galatea, anchored at the north end of Jekyl Island, for which purpose he manned the Hinchenbrook and the sloop from the gallies; but while he was making his preparations, the Galatea

When the success

hoisted sail and put to sea. of this enterprise was made known in Georgia, it had a good effect upon the dispirited militia, and general Howe considered it a favourable moment to carry on the expedition against Florida.

On board of the Hinchenbrook, three hun. dred suits of uniform clothing were found, belonging to colonel Pinckney's regiment, taken in the Hatter, which had been freighted with clothing for the continental troops in the southern department, and had been captured by a British privateer off Charleston. The prisoners informed colonel Elbert, that general Provost was on his march to attack Georgia, that the vessels taken by him were destined to Sunbury, where they were to join general Provost, who calculated that the weak state of the garrison at that place, would enable him to gain possession of it with little or no opposition. The clothing found on board of the Hinchenbrook was to be distributed among the loyalists, who were marching from Augustine, and other insurgents who were expected to join them after their arrival. Brown's regiment of rangers was to be completed and put in uniform. Preceding events compared with this narrative, gave it a claim to credit; though it appeared a little extraordinary that a commanding-officer should make such a public disclosure of his intentions, unnecessarily, to his own disadvantage.

General Howe gave orders to colonel Pinckney, to join him with all expedition, and marched

with all his force to fort Howe. Before he reached his destination, colonel M'Girth with a party of refugees had penetrated the Midway settlement, where he was opposed by superior force and compelled to retreat to St. Mary's. When general Provost was informed of general Howe's movements, his attention was directed to the repairs of his points of defence on St. Mary's and St. John's rivers, and in making such other arrangements as were best calculated for the defence of the pro, vince. Fort Tonyn was put in the best state that its situation would admit, and cannon mounted for its defence. This fort was on the St. Mary's river, and some distance in advance of his other works. The ground was not well calculated for defence; nor could the garrison be withdrawn, in the event of a siege.

General Howe arrived at the Alatamaha on the 20th of May, where he waited for his re-inforce ments. He drew a favourable conclusion from the division of the enemy's force, in fortifying the out posts imagining that they would fall by detail, and that thereby his conquest would be easy and certain. The British works on St. John's river, were formidable. A battery waserected on each side, mounted with cannon, covering some armed vessels in the harbour.

The favourable prospect held out by general Howe, for reducing this asylum for robbery; un der the control of the American government; was soon spread over Georgia and Carolina, and Howe

could not have conceived a project which would have been more popular, among all ranks of the community who were attached to the cause of freedom, than the one which he now contemplated. Every plan which had been adopted by the American government to keep the Creek Indians quiet, and prevent them from taking an active share in the war, had failed. The claims which had been always successful, in the form of presents, to the warriors and chiefs, were irresistable, when accompanied by assurances that regular supplies should be furnished for the use of the nation at large. To comply with these promises, was completely in the power of Great-Britain, through the medium of her merchants in East and West-Florida.

The American government could offer no inducements, by which Indian friendship is usually acquired. Presents of such kind as would be acceptable, could not be procured. Ammunition was too important to their own defence, and its scarcity was so severely felt, that her troops often fled from the field of battle for want of it. There is no difficulty in deciding upon the part which would be taken by the Indians, where such powerful allurements were held out upon one side, and nothing but the justice of a national cause, held out upon the other. Add to this, an open door to the pillage of a country, which afforded neither the means of offensive nor defensive ope rations.