Sir

I acknowledge the Receipt of your Letters June 25 and July 9, containing a pretty full Account of your transactions and proceedings with his Majesty's Ships under your Command, and communicating many particulars very necessary for my Knowledge. It has given me great satisfaction that the Kings Ships have assisted the Transports from England to water at the Hook, and have conveyed them to Boston, where they are all safe arrived except one, which I hope will be in Tomorrow. By whatever means we get Provisions it is extremely favorable at this time, as the Supply expected from England is not arrived, and it is absolutely impossible to spare one Ounce from hence.

I have received Letters from Captains [John] Macartney and [John] Collins, whom I hope by this time are at their respective Stations. The Magdalen is gone to England.

You must continue the Kingsfisher in the Sound, when she can be spared from other necessary Services. I have related to the Admiralty your Story of the [Provincial] Congress restoring, and the Connecticutians stealing again the Kings Stores at Turtle Bay.

The Volunteers for the Fleet are arrived, so are the five Men, part of the intended Highland Regiment and are enlisted in the Army. I am quite satisfied with your Conduct in moving the Asia to a Birth better adapted for the Security of the New Carriages, in sending the publick Dispatches by the Transport, and in detaining the Schooner, &c.

In regard to your wish for more positive Orders I am equally desirous of being authorized to give them. The restraining Acts forbid all Coasting Trade. All Persons illegally in Arms upon the Water are deemed Pirates, and every Aid or Assistance given or intended to be given to the Rebels is liable to be destroyed or seized and confiscated. So far I think the Laws are literally in our Favour. The necessities of the Army and Fleet authorize the detention of such Articles as they stand in need of; at present these are Provisions of all Kinds, Flour, Grain, Melasses, Oats, Hay, Straw. The Country Eastward of Boston is destitute of every Kind of Food, except Fish; If we are fortunate in cutting off Supplies, its Inhabitants must soon be in extreme Distress. You are already sufficiently authorized to seize and detain as aforementioned; On all other Occasions you must be governed by Circumstances, rememb'ring that at present nothing but the clearest necessity to prevent the loss of, or injury to, his Majesty's Ships or People entrusted to your Care, or to any others under your immediate Protection, will justify you acting offensively towards those you are among, but I hope soon to hear that Great Britain has determined upon the Measures to be followed, and that I shall receive Instructions accordingly.

I am &c.