Increasingly, St. Augustine was becoming a focal point for British information and strategy as colonial forces assumed political control in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. Thomas Brown felt that the future of the Rangers would depend not only on the supplies that they continued to collect, but even more important, on intelligence that he was able to provide for Governor Tonyn. He was intrigued to hear about developments in Virginia that added an exciting new dimension to his long-standing scheme of harnessing natives with regular British troops and decided it was worthy of a brief assessment for Governor Tonyn.

Your Excellency:

I am emboldened to give this Assessment of the rebellion to date, encompassing well-known events and some personal Opinions. You are well aware of the Situation in our region. The traitors have made little if any Progress in the Northern colonies. Despite General Benedict Arnold’s taking of Montreal, and Fort Ticonderoga in northern New York, his forces have now been Repulsed at Quebec and destined to Withdraw at an early date from all of Canada. Their men have been no match in a Sustained battle with British forces and have either fled or deserted after being away from their homes for a few weeks. General Sir William Howe is holding firm in Boston, and it is generally believed that he is assembling a Force to take New York and perhaps Newport. There have been a few Skirmishes in Virginia and the Carolinas, and a small group of radicals have been Successful in inducing Lord John Dunmore to transfer his office in Virginia from land to a small British fleet, operating in the Chesapeake, from which he has led Attacks on rebel shore positions with two Regiments. It is interesting to note that one of them is composed of former black slaves, whom he has recently Declared to be free of Bondage if they take up arms on Behalf of the King.

I have just learned that Dunmore took a number of slaves and Indentured servants from the huge Plantation of George Washington, who has declared publicly, “If that man is not crush’d before spring, he will become the most Formidable enemy America has. His strength will increase like a rolling snow ball.” Although these new troops were afflicted with the Pox and other diseases and Lord Dunmore could not prevail militarily, his Blow to slavery is a threat to the rebels and to the established way of life in all the Southern Colonies, and particularly in the Carolinas.