Sir

By Captain [David] Pryce of his Majesty's Sloop Viper, who arrived here the 6th instant from England, I have received their Lordships Order May 20, 1775, to send a Reinforcement of Ships and Vessels to Rear Admiral Duff upon his application, their Lordships Order June 20 Duplicate to take the Viper under my Command, your Letter June 24 on the subject of Press Warrants, with a List of such Captains and Commanders of his Majestys Ships and Vessels for whom Sixty seven Press Warrants are made out, and which number I have received, with four instructions, and some blank Press Warrants to be filled up and delivered as the Service may require; Your Letter the 24 inclosing an Act passed the last Session of Parliament, wherein a Clause of the 6th of Queen Anne is repealed which forbid the impressing of Seamen in America; And a Copy of a Letter from Mr Grant the Contractor concerning the furnishing provisions to his Majesty's Squadron under my Command in North America. I beg leave in this place generally to say that the utmost Attention and Obedience shall he paid to all their Lordships Commands signified to me in the several Orders and Letters abovementioned and I will endeavour to reply as distinctly to each as possible. And first with regard to Press Warran[ts.] I flatter myself that although we have missed no opportunity of getting Seamen, yet they have been constantly taken with that Moderation, and the Officers have so studiously avoided distressing any legal Trade, that neither their Lordships or the Parties immediately concerned will ever be troubled on that head. I am exceedingly happy however in receiving their Lordships authority for manning the Fleet by pressing, and I am satisfied it will give no small pleasure to the Captains and Lieutenants to whom I shall distribute the Warrants as the Kings Service may require: Such of them as from death or Removals of the Officers they are directed to, are become null, I shall not fail to send home by the first opportunity of a Kings Ship.

His Majesty's gracious intention to indulge the province of New York being entirely defeated by the Rebels taking possession of the City, overturning all legal Government, and compelling Adherence to the Designs of the Congress, will also prevent New York being a Rendezvous for his Majestys Fleet the ensuing Winter. I presume their Lordships are well informed that from the time the Ice begins to run until the River is again open in the Spring, and whether sooner or later depends wholely upon the Severity of the Winter, no Ship can lie in the River except a long side the wharf at New York. As things now are I cannot think of putting his Majestys Ships in the power of Rebels, therefore the Asia must leave that place when the Winter begins, and come to Boston. But as the Navigation of this River and the Delaware are shut up only a few months, their Lordships may depend that Ships shall be ready to enter them the moment it is possible to anchor with Safety in the Stream; and that in the mean time preparations shall be made, and measures concerted if possible, to prevent the Rebels receiving Succours from the Southern Colonies by the passes of Hudsons River in the Spring.

Neither of the four Frigates mentioned in your Letter are yet arrived; It is particularly unfortunate at this Juncture, for, expartation ceasing by order of Congress after the 10th instant, the Merchants have hurried out their Vessels from every part, and by good information I learn that no provisions are now shipped but in return for Powder.

From every Intelligence I get, and from the known disposition of this ungrateful people, I have not the least Doubt of their resisting until an effectual exertion of our power compels them to be just and obedient.

With this persuasion and having besides many reasons to apprehend an attempt to destroy Halifax Yard, and indeed overrun the whole province of Nova Scotia, on the 10th instant I ordered Captain Le Cras to remain at Halifax, and acquainted him that he should winter there for its greater Security, and to forward the Equipment of his Majesty's Ships. I need not mention how necessary such an active Officer is for this Service; In order to give weight to his Command I at the same time ordered him to wear a broad Pendant while he remained on that Service, hut to strike it when he left the Coast of Nova Scotia. I trust their Lordships will approve my placing on that Station an Officer of Captain Le Cras' Experience, so well acquainted with the Country and Climate; therefore I cannot think of sending the Somerset to England this Fall.

Though the Boyne and Asia are by much too large for this Harbour, one at least must stay here this Winter. The Frigates and Sloops coming out are by no means sufficient to answer all the purposes of Government, several must immediately go to Savannah, South and North Carolina; Bermudas and [New] Providence should this Winter be kept in Order; a small Squadron must winter in the Bay of Fundy: Upon the whole, if the four Frigates and three Sloops you have mentioned are all that are to come to America, I cannot send home the large Ships. I shall moor them before the Town. One or two Frigates must lie in Nantasket; Sloops in other passes of this Harbour. Rhode Island and the Sound should be well guarded; the present force there is not sufficient by four Sail.

At Boston the Boat Duty is extremely hard; it will continue so all the Winter. In the large Ships we have many resources: we should have been greatly distressed this Summer without the assistance of their men and Stores. I do assure you, Sir, we are every way more harrassed than if on an Enemy's Coast; but my patience is nearly exhausted, and I will not much longer suffer the Rebels with Impunity to insult and annoy us. I will now finish this Letter and reply to that part of yours respecting provisions in my next. I am &c