Dear Sir

My last letters to you went by Watson and Mrs Fairchild, who sailed from hence the 16th of December and are I hope now safe in London. Little material has happened here since that time, the Severity of the Winter still keeps out the greatest Number of the Ships sent from England with Coal, Porter, and other Stores. only Nine of them are yet got in, out of Thirty Six Sail. We grow Anxious for the arrival of the provision Ships, as they are of the most Consiquence at present, the others we might Shift without, as the Number of Old Wooden buildings puling down, will afford us a Sufficiency of Fuel. tho' it is attended with a greater Risque of Fires, by the carlesness of Soldiers than might happen by burning Coal in the barrack Rooms.

Admiral Shuldhome arrived here about ten days ago, and Admiral [Samuel] Graves Sails for England this day Week, People are Sanguine in their Expectations from Shuldhomes Commanding and part with the other, very willingly. the Rebell Privateers Continue to be troublesome and have lately taken one or two Vessells.

The Rebells at Mount Pizgeh gave us an Alart the other Night, between Seven and Eight oClock being very dark and low Water, a party Supposed to be about 100 Stole a Crose the Caus Way to Charlestown, and set fire to four Small Houses which remained near the Mill, and carried off a Sergt & four Men who were in one of them, and then retired with presipitation the same way the[y] came, and did not think proper to attack the Detachments in the Redoubts on the hight's. One Circumstance made that attack a little laughable as it happen'd on the Play Night. Just as the farce called the Blockade of Boston (a thing of some Humore said to be wrote by Genll Bourgoyne) was ready for Representation, the performers had Just got dressed in their Yankee Array when an orderly Serjt came hastely into the House, and said that the Rebells were landed and that the troops were at it; this you may beleive made us all Quit the house not without hurry, and much fainting amoung the Women. but the best joke was the Actors who had now another part to perform, than of Women & Negroes, for which they were prepeared. one Officer was runing to his Corps in his petticoats, and another with his face blacked and in a Negroes dress. In short had the Rebells intended this to disconcert the Redicule that was intend them they wou'd have some Credit, but we don't find that was the case.

I mentioned to you Brigr [Richard] Prescotts being a Prisoner at Albany. and yesterday we here by a flag of truce that, Governor [Guy] Carleton has got into Quebec, and that Col. [Allen] McClean had a brush with [Benedict] Arnold who Commands the Rebells who invested that place, and that McClean has beat them ー They likewise say, that Soon after Lord Dunmores landing from his Ships near Norfolk in Virginia with a part of the 14th Regt he was attacked by the people, and obliged to retire on board, with the loss of Seventy Men among whome, are Captain Fordice [Charles Fordyce] and [Samuel] Leslie, both of the 14th Regiment. this is the Rebell Accot of this affair, the only one we yet have. A deserter that came in last Night says their Army are very Sickly, and are tired of the War, but the Spiret is kept with great pains by their Leaders ー We had the other day a Vessell from New York, from whence we had not heard for a Considerable time; we have now Seldomer oppertunitys from thence than from England. do not find things in any better State there than formerly, but no doubt you here from thence.

General Clinton is now Embarked and will Sail in the Mercury Man of War tomorrow on a Secret Expedition. he takes two transports with him, on board of whome are two Companys of Light Infantry of the 4th and 44th Regts  Lord [Francis] Rawdon goes a Supernumery Aid de Camp. he wanted to take a full Staff with him from hence, but has been refused, he wanted Gaptn [Richard] Symes of the 52d as Adjt General, Captn [J.H.] Crosbie of the 38th Regt as Qr Master General, and Captain Southerland of Gorham Corps as an Assestant, but General Howe wou'd not allow of such a Staff, which I beleive has occasioned some discontent. Its said this Expedition is intended for Virginia, where its thought he will be Joined by the five Regts ordered from Ireland last December. and that the General (Clinton) will tuch at New York on his Way, to see whats doing there.

The other day General Howe ordered Major Sherreff to wait on General Clinton to know which of his Assistants he woud Chuse shou'd go with him, General Clinton did not like the message, and said he thought he had a Right to appoint his own Staff, & that he wou'd not take any body from hence, If any One of us was to go I think I am the person, as being one of the Established Assest D.Q.Mr Genl[s] ー and that there could be no Choice. but I make myself Easey about going, as I beleive had one of us been ordered with him, contrary to his inclination, he wou'd on coming to his Command appoint a Depy Qr Master over us, and thereby Occassion some disagreement. I mention this matter to you, to shew you the little Chance I have of getting any thing equal to your wishes by my Appointment; the People now in Power have all their dependants, and many about them whome the[y] wish to serve. I do not mean to trouble you with grievences, but its my Duty to acquaint you with these matters ー I look upon myself in that Office by your Recommendation and good Wishes to Serve me ー

The Preferment goes on here pritty fast in the Several Corps, I have no Chance of any as Our Regt is not Serving with this Army. And I find myself Serving in a very Labourious Department, which requires all my time and attention, for five Shillings a day and the Chance of three Shills a day Batt & Forrage Money when any Issued ー

Major Gaul of the 35th Regt has sold out and Major Basset of the 10th both Majoritys go in the Regiments, and many other Changes happen Dayly I wish I had it in my power to follow yr advice in geting my self Settled, but without you can assist me that cannot happen. Mr Haldimand is well & presents his Duty & Compliments. I am with the greatest Respect [&c.]

I have had but once the pleasure of hearing from you since your departure