Sir

I beg you will be pleased to inform my Lords of the Admiralty, with the Arrival of His Majesty's Sloop Alderney under my Command, this day, at Spithead, from a Cruize in persuance of their Lordships Orders given to me by Vice Admiral [John] Amherst at Plymouth.

On the 29th Ulto I fell in and spoke with the Freindship, a Sloop from Guernsey, bound to Plymouth ー she informed us that a Brigg had just arrived at Guernsey bound to America, and by his account of her she seem'd to answer the discription of the May Flower Brigantine, specified in their Lordships directions, respecting the Vessels at Amsterdam.

The next day I run into Guernsey Road, and inspected all the Vessels there, and amongst them found a Brigg Called the Lord Chatham from Virginia, Laden with Tobacco and Staves; the former part of her Cargoe she landed at Falmouth and brought the Staves only for Guernsey. Conversing with Mainjay [Nicholas Maingy] the Master, on the state of America, he gave me to understand the Virginians were Arming & Excersing themselves every where but very much wanted Gun Powder and had dispatched a number of Vessels to the West Indies and Europe for it ー In his conversation he mentioned Lord Dunmores having sailed from Virginia in his Majesty's ship Fowey. The Brigg left Virginia the 13th July last. Amongst his Papers I found only One Letter that touched on American Affairs, the which I send you inclosed ー I sufferd the Gentleman a Merchant of Guernsey, to whom it is directed to read it and then Sailed ー

During the whole Cruize we have had very Boisterous weather, and frequent hard gales, in one of them I was glad to run into Portland Road for shelter ー

In the Channel I spoke with several Vessels bound to America, in Ballast only, all well found and fine sightly Vessels. ー None however came from Amsterdam, or Answered the description given with my Orders. I have the honor to be Sir [&c.]