Sir

The Savage is returned to Halifax with the Amity Transport having on board 83 Seamen raised at Newfoundland by order of Rear Admiral [Robert] Duff, upon my application to him of which I informed you by Letter dated 6th of September. Commodore Arbuthnot has kept the Savage at Halifax and sent the Transport with part of the Men to Boston. The Fowey has the Remainder.

If a Bounty could have been given Mr Duff informs me many more would have entered, however these are a very good set of Men.

The Ship Glasgow with 255 Emigrants from Scotland, consigned to a Mr Buchanan [Walter & Thomas Buchanan & Co.] Merchant at New York, arriving there the latter end of October, Captain Vandeput in pursuance of my Orders has sent her to Boston, where she arrived a few days ago. Whatever may be their pretext for leaving Great Britain it surely can never be right to continue peopling a Country in absolute Rebellion against us. Most of the Men will I believe enlist in the Army, and upon consulting with General Howe, we are of opinion the rest should be landed at Halifax, where a Provision is made by Government for their immediate Subsistance.

As their own Victuals are expended I am under the necessity of supplying them till they can get to Halifax, for which purpose I have ordered the Naval Officer to muster them, and I shall order them to be furnished with as much provision as is requisite for the Voyage according to the allowance in the King's Service; and I hope this will meet their Lordship's Approbation.

I must intreat their Lordships will be pleased to direct the Commissioners of the victualing to send out Candles and Coals for the Squadron to be supplied to the Pursers as was done last War to the Ships in the Western Squadron, Basque Road &c. Ever since April last the prices of Wood, Candles and Coals have been gradually increasing, so that Wood is here five times, and Candles upwards of three times, dearer than usual, and Coals in proportion, though often not to be had: this occasions great distress among the Pursers, and in the Ships who are but slenderly provided with these necessary Articles. I cannot therefore avoid representing the peculiar Hardships the Pursers here labour under from the amazing Discount upon Bills; and doubt not when the whole is properly laid before their Lordships they will obtain Relief. I am &c