[Extract]

Sir,  The Falcon sailed the 20 of June with a Transport to Piscatagua, and on the 30 returned to Boston with the Cannon and Ordnance Stores according to the inclosed List from Fort William and Mary. I transmit a Copy of Governor Wentworths Letter on this Occasion.

The Charlotte Sloop, mentioned in my letter May 13 to be hired as a Pacquet or Advice Boat, sailed the 30th of last Month with Dispatches from the Governor, myself and the other Departments of Government, for the different Ports along the Continent as low as Charles Town in South Carolina, from thence she is to cross to the Bahamas, and return to Boston.

Captain [William] Duddingstone in the Senegal, whom I had stationed at Casco Bay, and to whose particular attention I had recommended the Ship Minerva, Thomas Coulson, Master, returned with that Vessel the 1st instant to Boston. I have in a former Letter acquainted you that the Minerva was built at Falmouth for a Mast Ship, and that a Vessel brought her rigging Sails and other Materials from England; from the time of her being launched, some of his Majesty's Squadron have constantly protected her and the Store Vessel from being destroyed. Disappointed by the Rebels of getting Masts at Piscatagua, Mr Coulson returned to Falmouth to endeavour to procure a Cargo for England. It was absolutely impossible; and such preparations were making to destroy her, that Captain Duddingstone at the Masters earnest Intreaty returned with him again to Boston. Soon after the Senegal arrived General [Thomas] Gage applied to me for Convoy to four Transports and three or four Sloops his Excellency was sending to procure fuel for the Army: I ordered the Senegal upon this Service, and she sailed immediately for Penobscot Bay with her Convoy the 10th instant.

By Captain Duddingstone I received the disagreeable News that the Margueritta hired Schooner had been attacked and taken by the Rebels; I acquainted you in my Letter June 16 with her being sent Convoy with some Vessels appointed to bring firewood for his Majesty's Service at Boston. This Vessel except that she had no Carriage Guns, was well appointed; She had Swivels, Musquets, Pistols, Hand Grenadoes, manned with twenty of the best Men in the Preston and commanded by a very good Midshipman. The only Account I have yet seen is contained in the inclosed News Papers, but there is no doubt of its being a true Report.

The 28th Captain [Tyringham] Howe in the Glasgow sailed with Orders to cruize three weeks from the back of Nantucket Shoals to the West end of Long Island for the Security of Transports expected with Troops from Ireland, then to proceed to Rhode Island and put himself under the Command of Captain [James] Wallace of his Majesty's Ship Rose.

. . . Captain Wallace has sent round a Sloop with Flour and Sugar, a Seizure of 45 Hogsheads of Rum taken in different Boats, and a small Vessel with Refreshments; he acquaints me that the Assembly at Rhode Island have voted 500 men more for the Rebellion, struck off £10,000 additional money, and ordered Fort Island to be taken possession of. The latter will be prevented if possible. I transmit a Copy of one of Captain Wallace's Letters inclosing an Association of some of the Principal People in Rhode Island. Other Accounts say that seven Sail of Brigs and Sloops are at Providence from 14 to 8 Guns, well manned, and that they have nearly finished two large row Boats for 24 Oars and two prow Guns in each.

. . . In Consequence of my Orders for that purpose Captain [George] Vandeput employs the Kingsfisher cruising in the Sound and off the Hook occasionally, with orders to seize and send to Boston all Vessels laden with provisions, Melasses and Salt, Flour, Grain &c. Captain Vandeput acquaints me further that there are many who wish to keep the peace in New York on account of their property, that several of these have got into Committees and the Provincial Congress, thro' whose influence perhaps it is that as yet the Kings Ships have met with no difficulty in getting the provisions required. I transmit an Extract from one of Captain Vandeput's Letters merely to shew what dependence there is upon the professions of these People, and the Deceit and Cunning with which they manage their Affairs.

Captain [John] Macartney of the Mercury acquaints me that at the end of thirteen days from the time of his sailing from Boston, he spoke to the Spy Transport with part of the 43d Regiment and sent her to Boston, the same day he met the Lord Hyde Pacquet and anchored with her at Sandy Hook the 16th and delivered her into the care of Captain James Montagu of the Kingsfisher, who convoyed her to Town the next day. Captain Macartney after cruizing a few days returned again to the Hook, and as the Transports arrived assisted them to Water, which they 'were all in want of, and sent them to Boston.

Captain [John] Collins, in a Letter dated Nautilus at Sea June 30, acquaints me that he had convoyed the Schooner with the Spaniards and their money going to Cadiz, together with the Ship Thomas bound to London, Fifty Leagues East of Cape Cod, and that he had left them safe on the 18th with a fair Wind to continue their Voyages; that he got on his station the 24th fell in with four Transports, and learning from a Pilot Boat the Mercury was at the Hook he went in, and having delivered his Pacquet to Captain Macartney proceeded in search of the Transports not arrived. The Mercury sailed soon after the [for] Virginia.

Captain [Francis] Parry of the Cruizer at North Carolina acquaints me, by Letter dated June 1st that the people in this Province are very violent, that it had been proposed in a Committee to man a number of Vessels and attack the Cruizer, that he doth not expect to get any more provisions there, and that the last Vessels which supplied him, would have been unloaded if she staid till the Morning. I inclose a Copy of a Letter to Captain Parry from the Captain of Fort Johnstone, who received from the Cruizer two Barrels and half of Powder; and Captain Parry intends to remain near the Fort with his Majesty's Sloop.

Governor [Josiah] Martin, in a Letter to me dated North Carolina New bern May 27,1775, wishes to have a Cutter, drawing not more than 7 or 8 feet Water at most, to be near the place of his Residence, where he represents himself to be with a few friends to Government totally helples and destitute of Protection.

I inclose Copies of Letters from Lord Dunmore to myself and Captain Geo. Montagu, also an Extract of a Letter from Captain Montagu acquainting me that by desire of Lord Dunmore he had sent the Magdalen to England with his Excellencys Dispatches to the Secretary of State. I cannot at this Distance judge of the necessity for such a Measure, but submit to their Lordship's Consideration that no part of the Squadron ought at any time to be sent away without the Commander in Chief's Order, unless the Service is of a very pressing Nature and no Vessel can be hired, in which an Officer might carry Dispatches not safe to be trusted with the Master. The sending his Majesty's Ships or Vessels home from their Stations express with a Governors Dispatches, is more likely to happen during the rebellion in America than at any other time; therefore if the Governors of other Provinces have nearly the same Accounts to transmit, should apply to the Captains on their Stations to proceed immediately to England, and they follow Captain Montagu's Example, the Coast may be left entirely unguarded and every kind of contraband Trade carried on with Impunity, while the Commander in chief is totally unacquainted for some time with the Disposal of his Majesty's Ships under his Command, for whose proceedings he is to be accountable. This is likewise the Season and Crisis when a much greater number of Kings Ships and Vessels than are now on the Station could be employed to very great Advantage for his Majesty's Service. I am &c.