(Copy)
My Lord,

I have the Satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship, that His Majesty's Ship the Rainbow is just now come in, and brought the Hancock with her, an account of which matter I have the honor to transmit to your Lordship from Sir George Collier — And as I think it is of importance that your Lordship should have the earliest Intelligence of this matter, I have given Captain Furneaux of the Syren, Orders to proceed immediately to your Lordship with the Accounts of it.

I beg leave to acquaint your Lordship that on the 23d of last month in my passage from Rhode Island to Boston Bay, I took a Sloop called the Friendship under French Colours, come from Newberry bound to Martinico, inclosed I have the honor to transmit to your Lordship the Intelligence I received from Monsieur Devenporte owner of the Sloop Friendship.

We shall be ready to go to Sea the beginning of the Week My Lord, and put the remaining part of Sir Peter Parker's Orders into execution.

I have the honor to be [&c.]

Flora, Halifax, the 12th July 1777.

[Endorsed] 3 In Lord Howes Lre of the 28 Aug 1777