Sir

By the Fowey, who arrived with the Francis Transport the 26 Ulto, I received your Letter Novr 8 with a Copy inclosed of a Minute of the House of Assembly in Nova Scotia, appointing an Address to be presented to Governr Legge, and a Memorial to you from the Merchants at Halifax concerned in Navigation; and desiring to know how far I would have the Craft and Vessels belonging to the Province favoured from an Impress. It is far from my intention to distress the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, but it is my Duty and the Duty of every Officer under my Command to endeavour to man the Squadron on this Station, now upon a Service of the utmost consequence to the whole Empire, and which Service cannot be performed unless the low Complements allowed the Ships be kept compleat. The necessity to take only Britons if possible is obvious, and such I must and will have taken wherever they can be had, without totally Stopping the Trade of his Majs loyal Subjects. ー The Province of Nova Scotia, I hope, contains Natives sufficient for its own Commerce, these I am content to exempt from being impressed, but I insist upon every old Countryman being taken under the above restrictions.

It may be necessary to inform you that with a view to man this Fleet the Clause of the Act of the 6th of Queen Anne which forbid the impressing Seamen in America was repealed in the last Session of Parliament, and that as their Lordships have been pleased to send out Press Warrants, the Captains of the Ships are to let no Opportunity slip of getting Seamen. I desire also to acquaint you that the whole Squadron are very short of their Comple[ment] Seamen must be procured at all Events, and that I expect you will encourage pressing such men for the Fleet as are not Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, and even these if there shall be a necessity for them; The fears of our Supplies being cut off is only a pretence; the Crews of Vessels so employed have been constantly protected.

The Transport with Volunteers is arrived; we have been obliged to make Match in Boston, otherwise some of the Ships must have been without it. I am sorry to find such a want of small Ordnance Stores at Halifax. I approve of the Directions given for the Security of the Yard, and of the Signals to prevent Surprize from the Enemy; And I am satisfied you will do every thing in your power for the general Good of his Majesty's Service. I am &c.