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Sir, I am favor'd with your Letter from Halifax of the 10th January and take the earliest Opportunity to commiserate your Sufferings and to Assure you and all the Inhabitants of the Island of St John's of my Attention and hearty Inclina 0 tion to afford them every Protection the Naval force I have the honor to Command will Allow.

To promise an immediate complyance with your request of having a Frigate at your Port early in the Spring is what I am afraid I shall not be able to perform as it must wholly depend upon the Arrival of the remainder of the Force ordered to join me, a circumstance which the uncertainty of a Winter's Voyage to this boisterous Climate makes extremely precarious. It is therefore not in my power to do more than repeat my Assurances of granting you all the Protection the Naval Force under my Command and the exigency of Affairs will allow, as I am at this time applyed to for the Protection of four or five Frigates for various and Necessary Services upon this Continent, which I am not Able to comply with.

I am sorry to find from your Account, which Corresponds with many others I dayly receive that the Rebels enjoy so flourishing a trade along the Eastern Coast, and indeed they have been too successful upon every part of it, as well as with their Privateers. But I persuade myself a numerous Fleet with the Intelligence and Co-operation I may expect from the friends of Government, will enable me to from such a Plan for the ensueing Operations as will put a speedy Stop to their progress.

I wish you a safe return to Charlotte Town, and the reestablishment of your tranquility which I shall endeavour to promote by all Means in my power. I am, Sir [&c.]

Philips Callbeck Esqr His Majesty's Attorney Genl of the Island of Saint John