[Copy.]
Private

Dear SirーI take the chance of catching you at Plymouth to apprise you that five regiments from Ireland are ordered to embark without delay; and as the transports are already engaged, will probably sail the beginning of December. Their destination is to North Carolina, in order to take possession of that province and to make a powerful diversion by that means to the attacks of the rebels in the north. As Sir Peter Parker will be ready for the sea in about a month, he will have the conduct of this expedition; and as we understand that the 28-gun ships are rather too large to get up the river, we shall muster all the small 20-gun ships that can be got ready in time and appropriate them to this service; but we have no sloops to spare, so that if you think after your arrival at Boston that you can spare any small craft that will be of use in this business, you would do well to send them to await the arrival of Sir Peter Parker with the transports. And if you can with privacy procure any pilots for that coast, it might be of material service; but you must be upon your guard about keeping this matter an impenetrable secret, unless you should find it necessary to communicate it to General Howe or the commander-in-chief of the army in America. I am [etc.]