Sir

I received on the 14h Instant by the Pallas Transport your several Letters of the 6h, 12th, 22d & 26h of September, and of the 3d and 9h of October last, giving an Account of the proceedings of the Squadron under your Command; also which were immediately communicated to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and Copies thereof sent to Lord George Germaine for His Majesty's Information.

Their Lordships approve of the reasons you have offered for increasing the Complement of the New Halifax Schooner to 40 Men And it is their direction that you order her Complement to be increased to that number of Men accordingly.

Their Lordships also approve of the directions you have given to Captain [Edward] Le Cras to wear a distinguishing Pendant while he continues at Boston, and they will consider of your recommendation of Captain [John] Collins for a remission of the Mulct inflicted upon him by the Sentence of a Court Martial.

My Lords approve of your having permitted Captain [David] Pryce to resign the Command of the Viper on account of his ill state of health also of your intention to send Captain [John] Macartney to England to have his Conduct enquired into at a Court Martial here. And they have in consequence thereof, signed Commissions for Captain James Montagu of the Kingsfisher Sloop to be Captain of the Mercury, and for Lieutenant Alexander Graeme and Samuel Graves to be Commanders, the former of the Kingsfisher, and the latter of the Viper Sloop, which Commissions I send you in a separate Letter, to be delivered them, and have the honor to be &c

Vice Admiral Graves, at Boston (By the Triton)