Dear Sir Since my dispatch to you and General [William] Howe of the 10th Instant, the Hawke Sloop Captain Cooper; arrived here in distress; (having lost all her Masts and Guns in bad Weather) and delivered me the accompanying Government dispatches, and the Secret Orders inclosed herein; as it is altogether impossible the Hawke Sloop can carry them into execution, and all the Ships under my Command, are at Sea on different Cruizing Stations. I am obliged to transmit them to you by the Viper Sloop which has been delayed by the Victualers loosing their Men at the time they were to Sail; I have therefore now Ordered Captain [Samuel] Graves to take only the Layton Victualer along with him; and make the utmost dispatch in his power to join you at Boston; hoping thereby both Services which appear to me to be of the utmost importance, may in some measure be executed; at least it is the only means I can adopt that carrys any appearance of performing their Lordships Instructions: I most ardently wish it may effectually do so; and I am with great regard Dear Sir [&c.]