Sir,

I Yesterday received a Letter from Captn Cadogan of His Majesty's Sloop Porcupine who saild from hence with the Lively and Kent the 20th June, in Order to proceed with the Convoy through the Gulf which con­sisted of One hundred & fourteen Sail, after he got through the Gulf in the Latitude 28.50 North His Majesty's Sloop Porcupine was unfortunately struck with Lightning which shiver'd her Mast and Set the Sloops hold on Fire in several places, but having saved a great Quantity of Rain Water the day before, he applied it with success and extinguished the Fire, many of his people were Hurt but all recovered the next day; At Day Light he made the Signal of distress & fired Guns untill 11 OClock in the Morng at which time he saw the Convoy about 5 Miles from him, but does not know whether they saw his signal, tho' he cou'd observe their Signal for the Convoy to close. Notwithstanding the distress he was in near Forty Sail of the Convoy passed within half a Mile, without taking the least Notice or giving him the least assistance & had he not met with a Schooner, bound to St Augustine, who took him in Tow, he does not Know what he shou'd have done —

Inclosed I send You Letters from Captn Lloyd of His Majesty's Sloop Atalanta for their Lordships perusal ² —

I also beg leave to acquaint their Lordships that the Bute armed Ship arrived here the 24th Ulto she being very leaky and in very bad condition. I have order'd the Master shipwright to put her in the best repair he can & to caulk her well, in order that she may be ready to proceed to England the latter end of October with the Convoy.

I further beg leave to acquaint their Lordships that the Southampton, now on a Cruise, on the 4th July fell in with two Spanish 74 Gun Ships between: Heneaga & Cape Nichola full of Troops from Old Spain & bound to the Havannah 50 days out, & on the 6th he fell in with another 74 Gun Ship from said place & bound to the Havannah also. I have no other Intelli­gence to inform their Lordships of and am with great Respect Sir [&c.]

[Endorsed] Rd 26 Sept Ansd 1 Oct