Letters sent to Sir Alexander Croke in Nova Scotia from John Borlase Warren in Bermuda.
The first letter (January 20th, 1809) mentions that the Nova Scotia government has devolved upon Croke in the absence of Sir George Prevost and sends his congratulations to Croke on his new position. Warren also suggests that while the results of the measures and the situation between the United States and Great Britain might incite warfare and civil unrest within the United States, he does not believe that the two countries are in immediate danger of conflict.
In the second letter (March 15, 1809), Warren agrees with Croke on the conduct of the American government and that D.M. Erskine will be deceived if he believes in discovering the plans of the American administration through unofficial and general conversations. Warren trusts that the American government, like all weak and popular government, is waiting to see which side could prevail before taking sides. He also mentions the surrender of Fort Bourbon in February and that the troops involved are now on their way to Halifax.
The third letter (March 18, 1809) indicates that Warren has sent the despatch received from D.M. Erskine to Sir George Prevost. He believes that the interview between D.M. Erskine and Mr. Maddison points to the United States, by arming their merchants or by some other means, is preparing to go to war with Great Britain.
The last letter (March 29, 1809) shows that Warren has forwarded D.M. Erskine's despatches to Sir Georges Prevost. He is also including a copy of a letter and a request from D.M. Erskine [enclosures included] where Erskine is describing the various measures taken by the American government and that it seems to be waiting for development in Europe before taking sides.
The enclosures are a copy of a letter by D.M. Erskine (March 1 1809) indicates that a bill for the repeal of the embargo on Great Britain and France and their dependencies had become law. Erskine believes that the word 'dependencies' means provinces, colonies or places belonging to Great Britain and France where no form of government exists. Erskine adds that ships and privateers from Great Britain and France are prohibited from entering American ports. Also included is a request that Benjamin Moodie, recipient of a letter from D.M. Erskine, forward an exact copy of the letter to Sir John B. Warren in Bermuda.