Sir

I wish it was in my power to give your Excellency more Satisfaction on the Subject of your Letter, which I had the Honour to receive Yesterday, but altho' fully sensible of the Distresses this Garrison will be subjected to by the Rebels taking its Supplies; Yet it is impossible entirely to prevent it with the Men of War alone at this Season. All that I can do is to place the Kings Ships in the most likely Situations to fall in with Vessels expected to arrive, and these are, I think, off Cape Anne, within Salem Bay, off Marblehead, and thence to Cape Cod. The Cruizers are now under Orders to spread themselves on these Stations, and to rendezvous in Cape Cod Harbour in Gales of Wind Easterly. But, without our having Possession of Marblehead and Cape Anne Harbour also, it is impossible for the Ships to keep on their Stations or prevent the Rebels from making further Captures. If your Excellency thinks it adviseable to attempt seizing the Peninsula of Cape Anne; every assistance the Fleet can afford shall be chearfully given. I am &c ²