[Extract]

His Majesty's Ship Tartar being ordered to England by Admiral Graves, I am to confirm to your Lordship the intilligence before communicated of the Capture of the Ordnance Brig Nancy by the Rebels, and that there is a Certainty of another Vessel, the Property of a Merchant, loaded with woolen Goods, and every Article necessary for Cloathing, having lately fallen into their Hands, which must afford great Relief to their most essential Wants. ²

I am also concerned to observe that the Uncertainty of defenceless Vessels getting into this Harbour is rendered more precarious by the Rebel Privateers infesting the Bay, who can take the Advantage of many Inlets on the Coast, where His Majesty's Ships cannot pursue them, and from whence they can safely avail themselves of any favorable Opportunities that offer. The Admiral being of Opinion that the Ships cannot block up the several Ports of Cape Ann, Marblehead, Beverly and Plymouth which afford Protection to these Pirates without the Assistance of a Land force that cannot at present be spared, has placed his Ships in Nantasket Road, with Orders to cruise from thence in the Bay, which not proving effectual I would humbly propose, that the Provisions, and other valuable Stores, be sent out for the future in Ships of War, without their lower Deck Guns or in Vessels of sufficient Force to defend themselves against these Pirates. One of them a Brigantine with Seventy three Men has been brought in by His Majesty's Ship Fowey,³ and I enclose to your Lordship a Copy of the Captains Instructions from Mr Washington, commanding the Rebel Army: The Prisoners are sent to England in the Tartar.