Sir

Upon the Arrival of the Phoenix in Nantasket Road the 9th instant I directed Captain Parker to remain there to repair the damage he had suffered on his passage from England, and to compleat his Provisions to six Months, in Order to releive the Asia at New York. The Phoenix was ready the 20th but contrary Winds kept her in the Road until the 27th when she sailed in fine settled Weather.

By the Viper who sailed the 17th for New York I apprized Captain Vandeput that the Phoenix was coming to relieve the Asia, and directed him to commit to Writing such Intelligence as he had collected of the operations and designs of the Rebels, the Navigation of the Rivers particularly Hudsons River, and any other information necessary to leave with his Successor, and to retain as many good Pilots as could be procured; so that I hope the Asia will sail for England in a very few days after the Arrival of the Phoenix. Captain Parker has Orders to take the Asia's private Marines on board the Phoenix, until they can be sent to Boston and join the Battalions on shore.

I have had so many contradictory Accounts of the probability of a large Ship lying during the Winter in the River without going along side a Wharf that I have left it to Captain Parker's discretion (who has wintered there) where to place his Ship while the Ice runs, but I have ordered him to anchor before the City whenever the River is clear; and having six months Provisions on board and the Viper with him, whatever turn things may take in the City, before the Navigation to it is open, I think Captain Parker cannot be distressed.

In one of my former Letters mention is made of my intent[ion] to send the Nautilus with Lord Dartmouths Dispatches for the Governors of his Majesty's Colonies to the Southward, and that I had given Captain Collim Leave to be on shore for the Recovery of his Health while the Sloop was fitting. About the 16th she was ready, but Captain Collins, unable to take upon himself the Command, begged my further Indulgence of Leave, and finding him from the Surgeon's Report to be utterly incapable of doing his Duty, I granted him leave to remain on Shore, and gave an Order to Lieut. John Graves of the Preston to command the Nautilus, and sent him to cruize in Boston Bay. I also directed Captain Stanhope of his Majesty's Sloop Raven to compleat his provisions immediately to six months in order to proceed with the Dispatches instead of the Nautilus; which being done Captain Stanhope sailed this day. I inclose Copies of Captain Collins's Letters and the Surgeon's Report.

Captain Stanhope is to touch at Newcastle on the Delaware, at Virginia, North Carolina, and at Savannah in Georgia, where I have directed him to remain until farther Order, expecting the Tamer and Cruizer to be on their passage to Boston: But lest that should not be the Case, through any unforseen Accident, I have given directions to Captain Bellew of his Majesty's Ship Liverpool, in a Letter dated this day, a Copy of which is inclosed that you may be thoroughly informed what force we have at present to the Southward of Philadelphia.

The Tartar arrived the 24th from the Bay of Fundy with part of her Convoy of Transports laden with Forage, one of which, the Jupiter, full of Hay commanded by Lieutenant Dickenson the Agent, was set on fire by Lightning in Boston Bay on the 29th instant and entirely consumed; His Majesty's Ship Mercury happened fortunately to be near and saved all the Peop'le except Col. Day a Gentleman of Nova Scotia, and a firm Friend to Government, who was drowned

The 26 the Cerberus arrived from a Cruize having suffered greatly by the turbulent Weather she met with. Captain Symons acquaints me he ran ashore on the Whales Back near Piscatagua, and, since he came in, got upon the Centurion Rock in this Harbour, so that I shall be obliged to have the Cerberus's bottom looked at before she can proceed to Sea again. This I purpose doing here and that the Ships shall hawl alongside, and put out their Guns, Cables and heavy Stores on Hancocks Wharf. The Falcon hath been already graved, and I intend to clean some of the Frigates, 20 Gun Ships and Sloops, whose Bottoms do not want caulking, that they may be ready for Service early in the Spring.

As the Master of his Majesty's Ship Preston, whom I ordered to act as Master Attendant at Halifax, is superseded and returned to his Ship, I have given him an Order to act as Master Attendant at Boston with the same allowance of five Shillings sterling p Day as he had at Halifax; This Officer is and will be much wanted here and I hope their Lordships will approve my appointing Mr Holman, who is an exceeding good Man and well qualified for the Office; And, having a Naval Officer also, the business of the Port will now be carried on I hope with nearly the same regularity and Dispatch used in the Kings Yards at home.

The Lively being compleated with Stores and Provisions is gone to Nantasket, and I have ordered the Cerberus to come up.

General Howe has fortified the Light house at the entrance of Boston Harbour, and a light is now shewn as before. While the Workmen were employed, sometimes an armed Transport and sometimes a Man of War received them on board at Night and protected them until the Building was capable of being defended by a Party of Soldiers stationed for that purpose.

The Nancy Brig laden with Ordnance Stores; which came out under Convoy of the Phoenix, is not yet arrived although she has been near three weeks on the Coast, and has been successively under Convoy of the Cerberus and Mercury, but from Gales of Wind and thick Weather could not get in.

His Majesty's Ship Fowey anchored at Nantasket from Halifax the 26th instant, and by my Order Captain Parker directed her immediately to cruize in the Bay; and she sailed again the 28th

Being in daily expectation of the Arrival of some of the Frigates, and knowing their Lordship's earnest desire to have the great Ships home, I have determined to let the Boyne return, and Captain Hartwell will accordingly sail the 4th of next month for Plymouth. He carries home all our Invalids, together with a Number of American Seamen, whom I have ordered to be borne on a supernumerary List for Wages and Victuals, and as I have directed Captain Hartwell to write to you concerning them upon his Arrival I hope their Lordships will be pleased to order them to be distributed, so as they may not serve in any Numbers together in America. I am &c