Sir

When the Fowey arrived from Halifax the latter End of last Month I received a Copy of an Address presented to Governor [Francis] Legge by the Council and Assembly praying his interposition with my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to put an entire Stop to impressing Seamen within the Province of Nova Scotia for the King's Fleet; and also desiring his Excellency to use his influence with me to order the Captains of his Majesty's Ships who may be occasionally in Halifax Harbour not to impress Seamen from any Vessels owned in the Province. The Copy of this Address with a Memorial from the Merchants at Halifax was presented to Commodore Arbuthnot, and by him forwarded to me with his opinion thereon "that if some Security is not given to satisfy the Minds of the People that they shall not be impressed, the Inhabitants of that place would be greatly distressed, and the Fleet and Army cut off from those Supplies which they have usually received from Nova Scotia."

Sir, it is too true that the Province of Nova Scotia contains many disaffected Persons, that their Numbers daily increase by the Emigrants from Boston and other Places within the Massachusets Bay; and that under the Pretence of their Trade being injured, they will clamour against Pressing. The People of New England formerly did the same, and I have no doubt but their Lordships will be strongly solicited to exonerate the Province of Nova Scotia from assisting to man the Kings Fleet. But whether such a request at this time is a Proof of its Loyalty to the King or Attachment to his Majesty's Government I submit to their Lordships determination. Inclosed is a Copy of my Answer to Governor Legge, and to Commodore Arbuthnot who I think had not fully considered the Matter when he interested himself to the disadvantage of the Fleet. ² The Emigrants from Scotland in the Ship Glasgow, of whom I wrote to you in my Letter of the 4th instant, have all entered into his Majesty's Army, and the Ship is left in the Masters Charge at his own Request.

On the 8th instant Major General Howe applied to me to spare six months provisions for 500 men from the Contractors Stores at Halifax, for the Number of Militia intended to be embodied there; and the Contractors Agent having lately received a supply from England, I directed him to furnish the proportion required to the Commissary General at the Contract Prices.

On the 14th instant I ordered the Hope Schooner, condemned by Survey, to be put out of Commission and her Crew to be turned over to the Brig Sea Nymph, now added to his Majs Royal Navy by the Name of Hope. I have given the Command of the Brig to Lieut. [George] Dawson with an Order to bear 20 Supernumeraries for Wages and Victuals in addition to a Complement of 30, until their Lordships are pleased to direct an Establishment for her. I have also ordered the Boatswains and Carpenters Stores of the condemned Schooner to be surveyed and returned to the Naval Officer, and her Hull to be sold at Publick Vendue.

Commodore Arbuthnot having acquainted me with the resignation of Mr Geo. Greaves the Surgeon entrusted with the Care of the Sick and Hurt at Halifax, and recommended Mr John Phillips of that Place as a fit Person to succeed; I have appointed Mr Phillips to that Office by Warrant dated 17th Novr 1775.

On the 16th instant the Senegal arrived from Halifax Convoy to the Grand Duchess of Russia Transport with Stores, and to a Brig laden with live Cattle and Carcasses of Beef for the use of the Squadron. The same day his Majs Ship Renown, Captain Banks, anchored in Nantasket from England,* and the Scarborough left her Station between Charles Town and Boston to get ready for Sea.

Having certain information that an American Brig from Barcelona laden with Arms, Ammunition and other contraband Goods intended for the Rebels, was expected every day at Liverpool in Nova Scotia, I gave Captain Dudingston the name and description of the Vessel and ordered him to proceed to Liverpool, immediately, to seize the Brig on her Arrival, and in the mean time to pick up as many Seamen as possible for the Fleet. Captain Duddingstone accordingly sailed the 20th instant.

On the 23d the Lively returned from a Cruize, very foul, and with the pintles of her Rudder so much worn that Captain Bishop thought it dangerous to keep the Sea; I therefore ordered him to come up to Boston, get the Ship clear to hawl ashore and be graved, and her Rudder Irons repaired, and afterwards to fit for Sea again with all possible Dispatch.

The James and William Transport also arrived the 23d from Annapolis [Royal], whither she went to carry Provisions for the Merlin; Captain [William C.] Burnaby acquaints me that, at present, everything is quiet in their Neighbourhood from the Season; but that from the best Intelligence the Rebels will invade the Province of Nova Scotia in the Spring.

The Cerberus has been waiting since the 14th instant to convoy Troops to Halifax, where I think it most safe to have her Bottom examined; The Favourite Transport being now ready, I ordered Captain Symons to proceed with her and the Gage Sloop, to get his Ship careened and refitted with the utmost Dispatch, and to follow Commodore Arbuthnots Orders for his Proceedings. Captain Symons accordingly sailed the 25th instant with the two Vessels abovementioned.

By the Cerberus I sent Orders to Captain Hammond to compleat his Provisions to six Months and to proceed without delay to Virginia, there take the Command of his Majesty's Ships, and endeavour to guard the Entrance of the Delaware by Cruizers until its Navigation is open, then to repair thither in the Roebuck with another Ship or Sloop to prevent the Rebels receiving Supplies, and to annoy them by all means in his power. And I have also directed Captain Hammond to procure as many good Pilots as possible for the Kings Ships.

Being obliged to send the Cerberus to Halifax, where the Weather will probably keep her until April, I considered it unnecessary to let the Somerset and Roebuck continue there, and therefore ordered the latter to proceed to Virginia where a Capital Ship is much wanted, and indeed where a large part of the Fleet must soon assemble effectually to crush this Rebellion.

Notwithstanding the utmost Endeavours of the Cruizers to protect Vessels arriving with Supplies, the Rebels watch the opportunity of the Kings Ships and Vessels being off the Coast, slip out in light good going Vessels full of Men, seize a defenceless Merchant Ship and push immediately for the nearest Port the Wind will carry them to. In some measure to prevent this practice I ordered Captain Montagu in the Fowey to lie under Cat Island near Marblehead, and by anchoring and cruizing occasionally I hope he will keep in many of the Cruizers belonging to Salem, Beverley and Marblehead Harbours: And I have directed Captain Montagu to take the Halifax Schooner with him. I am satisfied it is unnecessary to trouble you with the exact time Cruizers in and about the Bay of Boston put into Nantasket from bad Weather or to convoy Vessels, and go out again; When I can assure their Lordships iny utmost Endeavours have been exerted, however unsuccessfully, not only to render the Navigation to Boston safe, but to annoy the Enemy; but when our peculiar Situation is considered, with the remarkable Badness of the Weather this Fall, on a very dangerous Coast, it surely cannot be imagined but some Losses must happen.

The Cerberus had the Ordnance Brig under Convoy several days, was twice with her within a few Leagues of the Lighthouse, and yet from thick Weather and Gales of Wind they parted Company afterwards the Mercury fell in with her, and she also failed in the Attempt to bring her to Boston: At last she was taken by a Rebel Privateer: though I am still of opinion she has been lost by the Treachery of the Master or Pilot. I am &c

Sam Graves.

Note* Without any Letters or Orders for the Admiral.