Sir,

Conforming to your Orders I am anchored as near the Lighthouse as the Pilot thought safe; but I think it is what I owe the People under my command and also my Duty for the good of his Majesty's Service, to inform you the particular Situation of the Ship. I understand it is next to certain I am to be attacked by Boats; Sir, I must mention I think the Scorpion is almost the only Vessel in his Majesty's Service that an Enemy with only small Arms could effect any Execution; but she is without Waist, and her Decks consequently without Cover; The men are entirely exposed to the Enemy's fire, and this, Sir, is not the only difficulty I have in defending her; from the Negligence of the Builder of the Dock Yard she came from, there is neither Eye bolt or Ring bolt in the Decks to run the Guns in; and arriving at Boston, not expecting such Service, I have not yet had time to make Netting against being boarded, and this Night shall be without it. However I must conclude with assuring you I am making the Ship as defensible as possible in my power. I am &c.