By the same Conveyance ² the Admiral acquainted Governor Legge that in consequence of a considerable Supply from England the Contractors Agent had Orders to furnish six Months Provisions to his Excellency's Militia, and that Mr Arbuthnot was directed to exempt the Natives of Nova Scotia from Impress, which was rather more than the weak State of the Squadron would justify, to convince the Province that their Trade should have every protection, but that all other Marine[r]s must be taken, there being no means beside of making good the Deficiencies continually happening by Sickness, Deaths, Desertions, and Prisoners, and if the Fleet could not be kept manned the Services expected from it must remain unexecuted.

The Admiral in a Letter to Commodore Le Cras (dated the 10th instant) apprized him of the Accounts from Quebec, where the rapid Progress of the Rebels made it more probable they would now endeavour to seize the Kings Arsenal at Halifax than wait till the Spring, when a strong Reinforcement might render such an Attempt impracticable; and that the present unpromising State of the Kings Affairs in Canada, the notoriety of the disaffection of a Number of the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, and the danger with which his Majs Yard and Stores were threatened, would not allow of the Somerset proceeding to England at this time.

The Cruizers in the Bay having been driven into Nantasket by bad Weather, the Admiral on the 10th instant ordered Captain Bishop of the Lively, the senior Officer, to put to Sea with all the Kings Ships and Vessels there, except the Mercury, and cruize between the Capes Anne and Cod as usual, for the Security of the Supplies arriving for the Garrison, and in case of Gales of Wind to endeavour to get into Cape Cod Harbour, as a better Rendezvous for a part of them than Nantasket; to go into Marblehead and destroy a Vessel said to be carried in there, loaden with Coals and Bale Goods ³ the day the Lively came in last; The Nautilus or Canceaux to keep off Cape Ann, as nearly in the track for making that headland as possible; and upon taking any Vessels not to send them with a few hands to Boston, but one Ship of the Squadron to convoy them in, for that the Contrary practice had proved very detrimental*

Note* It may not be improper here to remark that the Vessel mentioned in the Admiral's Order to Capt. Bishop had not been carried in, but having made the land about Marblehead was under the necessity (as afterwards appeared) of pushing in to prevent being shipwrecked in the Gale

The General having again expressed by Letter of [illegible] his Apprehensions that the Rebel Cruizers might intercept the Supplies expected for the Garrison, which would subject the Kings Army to the greatest Distresses, the Admiral wrote the following answer ⁴