Sir

I have had the Honour to receive your Letters of the 2d and 3d instant, the last inclosing Extracts from a Dispatch from Lord Dartmouth, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State to your Excellency, fully acquainting me with the Scope of his Majesty's Intentions respecting the present War with the Rebels. The Mercury is the Ship with me best calculated for the Service proposed to the Southward; Captain [Alexander] Graeme shall have Orders to receive General Clinton on Board and convey him to the Place of his destination. Your Excellency may depend that my Orders and Instructions to the Commanders of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels shall exactly coincide with his Majesty's Designs; and that the Ships of the Squadron shall be directed to give every possible Assistance to the Land Force on every occasion.

With respect to General Clinton in particular, one of his Majesty's Ships shall attend him, whose Captain shall have such Directions as you have desired, and I am satisfied he will facilitate the Kings Service, agreeable to General Clintons wishes, with the utmost Alacrity and Readiness.

As I imagine the bringing a Cargo of Rice for the use of this Garrison is what your Excellency wishes to have effected with as little risque as possible, I have not ventured to alter my first Order to Captain Barkley on that head, being firmly persuaded that whichever of his Majesty's Ships may be with General Clinton her Captain will zealously cooperate with and assist him to the utmost of his Power. I hope to stand excused with your Excellency for so long delaying to answer your Letters, and that you will believe me to be with the greatest Respect Sir &c