Sir

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th of January by Captain Evelyn, signifying your appointment to the Command of His Majesty's forces intended to act in the Southern Colonies; and I beg leave Sir at the same time to offer you my congratulations on your nomination to this important Command, and to assure you that I receive the intelligence of it with the greatest pleasure, in the firm hope that it will prove as honorable, and glorious to yourself, and to the British Arms, as advantageous to His Majesty's Servjce and the Publick interests ー I have only to lament that the measure of sending succour to these Provinces was not adopted sooner; before the power of Rebellion had bec[ome] established in system, and before the good Spirit that existed among the friends of order and Government in them had been broken, and subdued by a series of Oppressions, checks, and discouragements; when the Success of it would have been certain.

In obedience to His Majesty's Commands signified to me by the Earl of Dartmouth, I have taken every measure in my power to exhort and prepare The King's loyal Subjects within this Province to join the Troops in expectation immediately on their arrival; and calculating that to happen about the middle of this month, I appointed them a Rendezvous in this neighbourhood on the 15th instant: but from the remoteness of those People, from whom I expect most aid, I hardly believe they will appear so soon; which I shall rather think fortunate, as neither troops, or arms, are yet arrived; and that there is some reason to apprehend a Contretems, from Captain Evelyn's account of the decampment of Mr Lee, with a body of the Rebels from Boston.

Pursuant to Instructions I have received from His Majesty's Secretary of State, I have, by the aid of the Commanders of the King's Ships here, made every possible provision of Pilots; some of whom are now arriving in the Syren Frigate for the Men of War and Transports expected on this Coast, and Captain Linzee of the Falcon to whom I have communicated your wishes with regard to this important object, is making every further arrangement in his power, for their safe conduct to this Port; where I shall impatiently expect the honor of kissing your hand.

I have received the highest satisfaction in the acquaintance of Captain Evelyn, and consider myself exceedingly indebted to his politeness and intelligence. I have the honor to be, with great respect, and regard, Sir, Your most Obedient and most humble Servant