[Extract]
My Lord 

As the Wind has prov'd Contrary, for Lieu^t. Howe's sailing it has brought in the Vulture Sloop of War¹—with one Captain Lieu^t. and three Subalterns and 44 privates, an Event which has made me happy, and the more so, as I had been ten days before that, hard at Work to fortify the heights round the Town, but in perticular to guard the Entrance of the Harbour, upon the different reports Prisoners, which we had brought in, given news of a French War, depend upon it my Lord, I shall carry on all Work with double diligence, and have 100 Guns mounted for that purpose in ten days, . . . 

This day the Hope² which went to escort Lieu^t. Col^o. Heirley's³ Volunteers for the Protection, of the Coal Mines,⁴ and got their time enough to prevent any bad Effects. also my Scouts are come in from my out Ports, and all is Well, and I should tell your Lordship the Hope (Cap^t. Browne) destroy'd a Pirate⁵ on his return hence, and brought in all her hands. . . .