Sir

Since my last Dispatch dated the 8th instant two Courts Martial have been held; upon Captain [William] Maltby, and the Gunner of his Majesty's Ship Glasgow, I transmit Copies of the sentences and will send the originals by the first Conveyance of a King's Ship. The Court having dismissed Captain Maltby from the Command of the Glasgow, I have appointed Mr Tyringham Howe Commander of the Cruizer to succeed him; and Lieutenant Francis Parry of the Preston to command the Cruizer. I have also removed Lieut. John Graves of the Somerset into the Preston and appointed Mr Willam Fulk Greville to be fourth Lieutenant of the Somerset.

On the 12th instant I received Letters from Captain [Andrew] Barkley of the Scarborough, and Lieutenant [Henry] Mowat of the Canceaux, acquainting me that in getting the Canceaux near the Town of Portsmouth at the desire of Governor [John] Wentworth the Pilot ignorantly anchored her at high Water in a spot where she had not Room to live afloat, and where she was benipped four and twenty hours. Captain Barkley sent every assistance in his power from the Scarborough, and hired a light Sloop to go along side, and take out her Stores, but the Weather being extremely cold, and the Wind down the River, the Sloop could not reach the Canceaux till the next Morning, when the Tide being somewhat higher than usual, upon heaving their Iron Ballast overboard, she got off. Lieutt Mowat acquaints me that the Ship makes little or no Water; and that he believes the only damage she has sustained is losing a part of her false Keel, and the part below the Iron Work on her Rudder a little shattered; therefore as no immediate inconvenience attends this accident, the Canceaux shall continue before the Town of Portsmouth untill the Spring affords a proper opportunity to examine and repair her Bottom.

Captain Barkley writes me that the people in general are at present pretty quiet; and that it is reported the Principal Inhabitants of Portsmouth will soon have. a Meeting to consult upon returning the Guns and Gunpowder carried off by the Mob. It is however certain that those who committed the late Outrage are skulking about the Country, and are only prevented by the King's Ships in the River from being as insolent & troublesome as ever.

I am &c.