Sir

Since I had the Honor to acquaint your Excellency that no provisions could be spared from the Transport at Halifax Harbour, I find Mr [Alexander] Brymer, the Agent for supplying the Kings Ships there, has received a considerable Supply from England on Account of the Contract; and at General Howe's desire in consequence of your Requisition I have ordered Mr Brymer to supply six months provision[s] for 500 Men for the use of that number of Militia to be embodied in the Province.

I have acquainted Commodore Arbuthnot that I will for the present consent to exempt from being impressed such Seamen as are Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, but that all others must be taken. The Ships of the Squadron are very short of their Complements; we have no other means of supplying the Deficiencies, continually happening by Sickness, Deaths, Desertions and being made prisoners, but by pressing. If the Squadron cannot be kept manned the Services expected from it must remain unexecuted, and the consequences are too obvious to mention. I beg your Excellency to believe that the Exemption I have now made is rather more than the present weak state of the Squadron will justify, but I hope thereby to convince your Excellency and the Province in general, that the Trade of Nova Scotia shall have every protection in my power to give. By examining all Letters at Boston I hope we shall discover the traiterous Correspondence you suspect. I have therefore given Orders to open all Letters, except such as are addressed to Officers on the King's Service. I am &c