Sir

By one of the Sloops belonging to the Army, which arrived the 5th instant from New York, I received Letters from Governor Tryon and from Captains [Hyde] Parker and [George] Vandeput which were delivered to Rear Admiral Shuldham upon his taking the Command of the Southern Division of his Majs Squadron in North America. I am exceedingly happy to find the two large Ships can be placed so as to remain at New York all the Winter, for I had almost been prevailed on to believe it impracticable. The Viper not arriving there is unlucky; with that Sloop and one or two armed Schooners, which I should have sent forthwith, I had flattered myself Captain Parker would have frustrated every Attempt to stop the Navigation of the River during the small time the Ice prevents the great Ships from lying in the Stream.

Rear Admiral Shuldham will explain to Capt. Parker that my Orders to seize all Vessels laden with Provisions, Rum, Naval Stores &c are generally meant to prevent the Colonies in Rebellion from being supplied with those Articles, Although by the restraining Acts those Commodities coming directly from Great Britain or her Islands in the West Indies may lawfully be imported; And that with respect to New York, while it continues amicably disposed towards his Majesty's Government and furnishes his Fleet and Army with every thing required, the means to do this must not be cut off, and therefore the Supplies usually brought to Town from the interior Country and Parts adjacent ought by no means to be restricted or prevented.

As I transmit Copies of Captain Parkers Letters, and of the Letter and Inclosures therein mentioned to be taken out of the Carolina Sloop, I have only to add that by the Mercury the Slops demanded for the Asia are sent, which is the soonest we have been able to spare so large a Quantity as was required.

By a small Vessel bound to Halifax, which sailed the beginning of this month, I sent Orders to Commodore Arbuthnot to send the Somerset to England, and I find she sailed from Halifax accordingly the 15th instant; but the Asia being so advantageously placed before New York, and there being no likelihood of getting any more Ships there until March next, I have left it to the Discretion of my Successor whether or not to remove her until the Navigation shall be quite open in the Spring and more Ships are arrived there. I inclose a Copy of Captain Vandeputs Letter to Captain Parker on his Arrival, giving him my Orders, with such Intelligence as he had been able to collect of the State of Affairs in that Neighborhood.

The 27th instant, the day I ordered Rear Admiral Shuldham to take the Ships at Boston and the Northern Division of the Squadron under his Command, a Tender arrived from Rhode Island, and I immediately communicated to Rear Admiral Shuldham the Letters I received from Capt. Wallace, of which I inclose Copies for their Lordships Information, and am Sir, &c