Tartar Halifax June 19, 1775
Sir,
I received your Letter of the 3d June the 14th of this month relative to the Guns for the Schooners, and the Dispatch of the Service, which I shall have great satisfaction in forwarding as much as I possibly can. I think it my duty to acquaint you, Sir, that his Majesty's Ship under my Command is rendered in a very weak state of defence by sending a Detachment of twenty men to do duty in the Yard, as we have only twenty eight remaining in a Watch, which I must (and hope you will) think is being too weak at such a time as this. I have applied to the commanding Officer of the Troops to know if he could spare men to do duty in the Yard, but he has informed me that they are so very weak that it is absolutely out of his power to give any assistance, so that I cannot help looking upon the Garrison here to be in a very weak state, and hoping that you will think more force necessary at so critical a time and where there is so great an Object to attend to as the Navy Yard must be at present. I have lent the Halifax some men to fit her rigging, and shall be happy to give every assistance in my power towards forwarding the Service at so material a time. I much fear, Sir, the Rebels have too many friends here, so that I suppose they will be made acquainted with the strength of the Garrison here which I should be afraid at present might give them great Encouragement to hope for Success, provided it continues in the weak State it is at present both by Sea and Land, which Consideration made me think it my duty at this time to point out the weak State of the Ship at present; but for the number of men we have, Sir, I have the Satisfaction to think we should do as much as could be expected from us with great Chearfulness and good Will. We have lost one of our Masters Mates, Sir, and the Master himself is in a very declining way, so that we are weak at present with regard to Officers as well as Men. I have inclosed the State and Condition of his Majestys Ship under my Command, and am Sir &c.