Number 30.
Sir,

By the Augusta I had the Satisfaction to receive your Dispatch of the 4th of March, signifying the Intentions of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty respecting the Destination of the Apollo, Proteus and Porpoise for Quebec; and the Appointment of the Isis and Swift, together with the Camel and Bute, for convoying several Transports with Stores and British Recruits for this Port.

In a second Letter of the same Date, I had the further Satisfaction to be advised that their Lordships had been pleased to order the Albion, Somerset, Nonsuch and Raisonablefor this Service. — I am extremely happy to learn at the same time that my Endeavors in the Discharge of my Duty, have been honored with their Lordships Approbation.

The Nonsuch arrived here the 25th past. And the Camel and Bute the 28th with all the Transports, three excepted, of the Convoy that sailed at the same time from Portsmouth. They had continued under the Conduct of Captain Finch of the Camel only, since the 6th of May: The Isis and Swift having been separated on the Passage. Two of the missing Transports came in a few Days before, and the third a few Days after Captain Finch. But the Isis and Swift are still absent.

On the 3d Instant Captain Ourry arrived in the Somerset, with the Transports he had in Charge; But the Mercury parted Company the third Day after they left the British Coast. The Troops by both these Convoys are in good Health.

As there was reason to believe it might be soon requisite to embark on a considerable part of the Army, timely preparation has been made for the purpose. And as my Attendance wou[ld] be necessary with the Transports in consequence I have recalled Commodore Hotham from the Delaware, to direct the Naval Operations having reference to the Defence of this Capital Post, and for carrying on the current Service of the Port.

I shall probably be obliged to leave the Preston and Centurion with the Commodore, and one or two Frigates besides those stationed in the Sound, as specified in the General Return inclosed; Many of the Seamen from those two Fifty-Gun Ships, with a part of the Eagle's Complement, being now ordered for Duty dependant on the earlier Movements of the Army. The Eagle, Nonsuch, Augusta and Somerset, are the only two-decked Ships I can yet be assured of having properly fitted to take with me when it may be necessary to leave this Port.

I wrote by the Success Merchant-Ship the 18th past, being the earliest Opportunity to inform You of the Arrival of the Augusta, and the Event of the Landing on the Coast of Connecticut to destroy the Magazines at Danbury in that Province. A Duplicate of the Letter is transmitted herewith.

I have little to communicate by this Conveyance regarding the Service of the detached Squadrons, more than is explained of their particular Desti­nations in the General Return. The Ships appropriated for the Delaware and Chesepeak Bay, have been confined to the requisite Anchorages within the Capes, on each Station: For preventing the Export of the American Produce to France, which appears to be a capital Object of the Enemy's Attention and Dependance. The Number of Captures will be less, but the Benefits greater to the public Service. Those principal Channels being secured, Detachments of lesser Force are made at times to disturb the Com­merce of the Enemy in the many shoaler Inlets along the Coasts of the middle Provinces. And as soon as the Hinchinbrook has released the Galatea off of Augustine, the three Frigates so appropriated in the Return, will be solely employed to obstruct the Intercourse with the rebellious Inhabitants of the Southern Provinces.

The Difficulties to effect that Restraint, will become greater in the Northern Colonies by tempestuous Weather in the Winter, and almost in­ cessant Fogs in the milder Seasons.

Besides the Frigates necessary to be stationed on cruizing Service, it is evident that an adequate Number must be appropriated for the successive Relief of the Ships, as well as Seamen, for whom little Refreshment can yet be procured, even during their Stay inport.

You will receive herewith a particular of the Captures made by this Fleet since the Commencement of the present Year. Some Ships with Mili­ tary and other Stores are said to have arrived in, and some Armed Vessels escaped from, the different ports on this extensive Coast. Such Resources I presume to think unpracticable to prevent, more especially with respect to Vessels of the smaller Classes in each Kind, until the Enemy can be dis­possessed of their posts. Several Privateers have been chased by different Cruizers: But from the better Sailing-State in which the former can with facility be kept, and other local Advantages, without Effect.

The Preparations of the Transports for the Reception of the Troops, having engaged many Carpenters who were before assisting in the temporary Yard, the Works have not been lately carried on there with the usual Dispatch. The small Number of Artificers otherwise to be procured (mostly furnished from the Eagle) have been employed in fitting the Vigilant, and an Armed Brig mounting Fourteen four-pounders that I have ordered to be taken upon Valuation into the Service, to replace the Hinchinbrook Schooner.

This Brig, fitted out from South Carolina, and called the Defence, was intercepted by the Roebuck and Perseus on their Return from the West Indies. I have moved Lieutenant Ellis with the Crew of the Schooner into the Brig, with an Addition of thirty four Men to complete her Complement in Proportion to the Difference in Force of the two Vessels. Being now ready for the Sea, Lieutenant Ellis will immediately proceed to his Station on the Coasts of East Florida.

The Vigilant will be completed in every respect by the End of the Week. And as no proper Artillery can be otherwise provided for her, she will be furnished with Fourteen twenty-four Pounders that can be spared from the Centurion.

The Occasion for the Service of the Workmen in the Yard having fully employed the Number that could be procured, it became necessary to contract with a Master Shipwright resident in the Town of New York to refit the Raven, which struck some time since on a Rock in the Passage up the East River, and received so much Damage as to be with Difficulty brought back for the purpose. Being hove down, it appeared that she had lost a piece of the After part of the Keel, and of the Stern-post; And the whole Sheathing was so much decayed, that it was judged expedient to rip it off. The Sloop is now refitted for Summer Service; But being on a single Bottom, must return to Europe in the Fall of the Year. The Rose, which other more pressing Services would not admit of having earlier inspected; must be next put into Condition in the same Manner.

The Repulse has been missing ever since the 16th of last December. She separated in a Gale of Wind from the Galatea and Nautilus, off of the Bermuda Islands. For some time, I flattered myself the Separation might have been caused by some Injury to her Masts; And that Advice would be received in due time, of her Arrival at one of the West India ports. But the last Letters from the different Islands not exceeding a Month in Date, I think it certain that some fatal Accident has happened to the Ship: Whereby, exclusive of other Considerations, the King's Service has suffered a great Loss in the person of Captain Davis, the Commander.

The Camel will be soon ready to proceed to Sea. But as I am only in­ structed, with respect to that Ship, the Bute, Proteus and Porpoise, that they are meant generally to convoy the Trade from the West Indies, without Distinction of the Stations for which they are respectively intended; And as the Isis, by which I shall probably receive those particulars, is still absent, I am induced, the·Season of the Year considered, to order Captain Finch away immediately to the Leeward Islands, with Advice to Vice Admiral Young of the Circumstances, that he may retain the Camel, or direct her to Jamaica, as he thinks expedient for the purpose of her destined Employ­ ment. I have been the rather so induced, in consequence of Letters from Vice Admiral Gayton informing me that he shall detain the Lively to proceed with Convoy about this time to England; as the Ship was found on Examination, incapable of being properly fitted abroad.

The Rudder of the Bute being loose, and the Ship otherwise in a very impaired State, as expressed in the enclosed Report, her Departure is neces­ sarily postponed. But their Lordships may be assured, no time will be lost in putting her into Condition for proceeding after the Camel, or as other­ wise appointed in the Orders I expect to receive by the Isis.

I forward by this Opportunity an Extract from Captain Jacobs's An­swer to the Inquiry I was directed to make by your Letter of the 27th of last October, touching a Complaint from the Spanish Ambassador concern­ ing a Spanish Vessel called the Vergen del Carmen; And two Letters (to be disposed of as their Lordships see fit) addressed to Monsr de Sartine, and found onboard a French Schooner named the Marie, stopped by His Majesty's Ship the Pearl close in upon the Coast of Maryland the 10th of last April.

On the 22d of last January Captain [John] Brisbane sailed in the Flora, to convoy some Victualling Transports in the Service of the Army, to the Leeward Islands. He arrived at Antigua the 3d of March. By Sickness, Deser­tion of several Men to serve in the Armed Vessels fitted by Individuals in that Island, and other incidental Delays, he was not able to proceed on his Return to this port after the Ship had been careened, until the 4th of May. He arrived the 31st of the same Month, after an Absence of more than Eighteen Weeks. — Not seeing Cause of Censure in the Conduct of the Captain on that Account, I only take Notice of the Retardment, as it may affect the Service of the Ships careening in the West Indies; and that their Lordships may the rather approve of the Expedient, if necessary in future (for facilitating the timely Repair of the Cruizing Ships) to apply to Com­missioner Arbuthnot that a Part of the Artificers may be sent from Halifax, for being employed here during the Season of the Year which will not admit for sending the Ships to be refitted at that Port.

The time approaching when it may be requisite to employ the Trans­ ports on Military Duties, I have thought. it reasonable and highly beneficial for the King's Service, to order a Gratuity to the Masters and Crews of Transports who distinguished themselves by a particular Zeal and Spirit in the Operations of the last Campaign, as I have had the Honor to com­ municate in my former Dispatches, in the Proportions as shewn in the Account enclosed. I have reason to believe it will be attended with very good Effects, and therefore hope their Lordships will approve and authorise the Allowance.

Sir George Collier will be attentive to afford all possible Protection to the Fisheries at Canso and Isle Madame. And I hope there may be Oppor­ tunity to employ one of the Frigates in the St Laurence for the same pur­ pose, with respect to the Fisheries on the Western Shore of the Gulf; according to the Instructions already given to that Effect.

The Townsend Ordnance Transport will be cleared with all Dispatch, And employed, with a View to her timely return to Europe before the Term of her Engagement ceases, as the King's Service may require.

By the Somerset, I received your Letters of the 3d and 5th of April; And the Notice signified by their Lordships Order of the 27th of March, that the King had been most graciously pleased to grant His pardon to James Woolspring, under Sentence of Death for Desertion from the Phoenix.

I shall with great Satisfaction receive such Lights as their Lordships shall judge fit to furnish me with, for my Guidance in the Construction of the Act of Parliament for the Government of the King's Forces by Sea: Many, and some material Disadvantages accruing to His Majesty's Service, from the Difference of Opinions that now subsist in the Fleet thereon.

I expect to receive Advices daily from Quebec concluding that the earliest Information will be given to Sir William Howe of the Movement of the Northern Army. I shall upon Receipt thereof, be better enabled to judge what alterations are requisite to be made in the General Instructions that were sent to Captain Pearson by the Tartar; And shall endeavor to adapt the same as will be most for the Benefit of His Majesty's Service accordingly.

I must beg leave by this Opportunity to mention again the very great Occasion for a Supply of Beds and Slops of all Kinds in the Fleet. And the Want of Beds for the Troops when embarked in the Transports, as more particularly communicated by Captain Bourmaster to the Commissioners of the Navy.

You will receive herewith an Account of the State and Condition of the Ships of this Fleet collected from the latest Returns; And of the Remains of Provisions for the time and Number of Men therein expressed.

I am, with great Consideration, Sir [&c.]

Philip Stephens Esqr 
Secretary of the Admiralty.
[Endorsed] R 10 July/ (9 Inclosures)