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Sir As I have not had an opportunity of corresponding with Admiral Graves since the 29h of June I think it necessary to desire you will be pleased to acquaint their Lordships with some steps I have taken at the earnest desire of the Right Honble Lord William Campbell Governor of this Province on the 7h of September Lieut Fergusson arrived here with His Majesty's armed Ship Cherokee; and notwithstanding the particular service she was intended for it was thought necessary I should detain her in this port and the Governor being of opinion that her small Complement of Men was not sufficient for the Service that might be required of her; I have ordered Lieutenant Fergusson to procure for the Service 20 able bodied Men, and to bear them on the Books of the Ship he commands as Supernumeraries for Victuals and Wages. I have also procured Pilots for both Ships as well for their Safety as to assist any of His Majesty's Ships in entering this port the people of Charles Town having strictly ordered their Pilots not to go out of the Harbour.

On the 24h September I seized and have detained a very fine Schooner that had on board a hun[dred] Cannon Shot I understanding she chiefly belongs to an Officer in the Rebel Army and as they have actually armed Schooners in this Port it is said with an intention to attack His Majesty's Ships have more readily detained the above mentioned Schooner as it was by the Governors desire who was then on board for safety thinking her exceedingly fit for that purpose.

I shall not trouble their Lordships with the state of His Majesty's Subjects in this Province as his Excellency will give the Secretary of State a more particular Account than I am capable of. And am &c