Sir

In my last Letter dated August 17th I mentioned the Appointment of the honorable Captain Tollemache to the Command of the Scorpion, and my intention to send that Sloop to relieve the Cruizer. Captain Tollemache sailed accordingly the 23d with the Palliser Transport under his Convoy with Directions to put into her all the Cannon and Ordnance Stores at Fort Johnson in North Carolina. I sent Orders likewise for the Tamer to call at Cape Fear, and proceed in Company with the Cruizer and the Transport to Boston.

On the 25th the Scarborough, Canceaux armed Ship and Spinckes Tender anchored at Nantasket; Governor [John] Wentworth came in the Scarborough from his Government.

On the 26th the Lively returned from convoying the Charming Nancy Transport over St Georges Bank, and his Majesty's Sloop Hunter arrived from England. By Captain [Thomas] Mackenzie I received their Lordship's Orders to take him under my Command.

On the 27th the Savage Sloop arrived from New Providence, and the next day the Charlotte hired Sloop returned from carrying Dispatches along the Continent as low as Charles Town, and over to New Providence. By Captain [Hugh] Bromedge I received Letters from Lieutenant [William] Grant of the St John Schooner, who sailed from [New] Providence to Georgia the 22d May; from that time until his Departure in the middle of July for [New] Providence again, I find he has been pretty usefully employed at St Augustine and Savannah, And that having no opportunity of Conveyance to Boston, he had acquainted you with his proceedings by Letter dated St John, Cockspur Road June 19, 1775. Upon his Arrival at [New] Providence Captain Bromedge (in pursuance of my directions) sent him to Pensacola to bring back Governor [Mountfort] Browne. Lieut. Grants Letters contain very long Accounts of the People of Georgia's Proceedings in sending Delagates to the Congress, tumultuously assembling in the Cause of Liberty, threatning those who do not join them, and even vowing to destroy the St John Schooner. But we are so accustomed to this language that I will not trouble you with the relation of what Mr Grant experienced at Savannah.

On the 28th I ordered the Lively to cruize from Piscatagua to the Isle of Shoals and Cape Anne; and the Savage from Cape Ann to Cape Cod in Boston Bay. The new Halifax Schooner arrived the 1st instant from Halifax, she is an exceeding commodious, fine Vessel with many good Qualities, but I find much too large for her low Complement, therefore at present I allow her Commander to bear ten Supernumeraries, for with less than forty men she cannot safely be navigated. I hope their Lordships will be pleased to increase her Establishment to that number of Men. Immediately on her Arrival I ordered Lieut. [John] Dela Touche to cruize in the Bay of Boston. On the third Instant some Transports arrived from Quebec with live Cattle and Forage for the Army; I received a Letter from Lieut. [William] Hunter acquainting me that being at Quebec to compleat his provisions, General Carleton had requested him to proceed up the River to assist the Kings Land forces against the Rebels, which he immediately complied with. I inclose a Copy of General Carletons Letter to Lieutenant Hunter. By a Vessel on the point of sailing from hence to Quebec I sent an Order to Lieut. Hunter to remain in the River and assist Governor Carleton to the utmost of his power, until he received further Orders. The Wind for several days blowing strong easterly prevented the Lively, Savage, and Halifax from getting out of Nantasket Road till Yesterday.

When the Charlotte hired Sloop returned from [New] Providence I received Intelligence that a quantity of Gunpowder, many fine Cannon, Mortars, Howitzers, Shells, Shot, and other Ordnance Stores on the Island, would certainly be removed to the Continent if not secured. I therefore proposed to General Gage to send Transports to bring away the whole immediately; the General consented; Two Transports were ordered for this Service, I manned the Falcon from the Preston, ordered Captain [John] Linzee with the Transports on this Duty, and he sailed with the other Ships the 5th instant from Nantasket.

The 4th I wrote a Letter to Rear Admiral Duff at Newfoundland generally informing him of the Situation of the Kings Affairs on this Continent, of the destruction of Cape Anne and Boston Lighthouse, that it was suspected Gunpowder, Arms, and Ammunition were smugled into North America from the Islands of St Peter and Miquelon, that the King's Squadron under my Command was in want of Seamen, and proposed to Mr Duff on his leaving the Station to send me as many young healthy Fishermen as he could, and part of his Marines. I sent this Letter by the Savage to Captain [Edward] Le Cras at Halifax with Directions either to send that Sloop or the Hinchinbrook with it to Newfoundland, which he should find fittest for that Service.

Last Night the Nautilus anchored in Nantasket Road, and I received a Letter from Captain [John] Collins (a Copy of which is inclosed). Extremely concerned to find the Hope, with Major [Christopher] French and the Cloathing of the 22d Regiment had passed the Nautilus without farther Notice than common hailing;* tho' Captain Collins was stationed in the Delaware to strictly examine all Vessels he met with; And dissatisfied with him for leaving his Station without Orders, because the Rebels were making preparations and boasting they would attack the Kings Ships; for these reasons and apprehending bad consequences to his Majestys Service, if such Conduct passed without publick Reprehension, I have ordered Captain Collins to be forthwith tried at a Court Martial.

The Scarborough came from Piscatagua principally with a Ship which arrived there from the Grenades, the Master of whom upon being questioned said he had Guns in the Hold; Captain Barkley detained him, but it appears that this Vessel was formerly his Majesty's Sloop Albany, upon her being sold to the Merchants was in 1771 fitted out for a Privateer, afterwards turned into a Guineaman and her Guns put into the hold with the Shot, Carriages &c, and where they are now said to remain. Captain Barkley has libelled this Ship in the Admiralty Court; in the mean time the Cargo shall be taken out and the Vessel searched. I am &c.

*[Graves's Note:] whereby she went up to Philadelphia & fell into the hands of the rebels.