Sir,-I have the honor to acquaint you that my mortification was excessive at finding my prize sloop had for want of proper orders been permitted to leave Augustine without the provisions we expected;¹ to remedy that neglect I instantly sailed to Saint Augustine, where I arrived at two o'clock the day after I had the honor of conferring with you, being the 16th, and that very evening dispatched the Nancy pilot boat, and loaded Clark's schooner² with your wants, but the wind setting in fresh at N.E. he could not proceed, and the day following according to the practice of the port the pilot boat returned, told me he had met bad weather and was obliged to throw part of the provisions overboard. In consequence of my advice Mr. Charnier has ordered the brig with the whole supply of provisions off this bar,³ where she now lies for your orders either to proceed into the river or return to Augustine, as you judge most requisite. 

The instant the wind permitted I returned to this bar, where I am honored with your letter,⁴ as also a copy of one from His Excellency⁵ and from Colonel Prevost bearing the date the 16th;⁶ with respect to the first, I join with you in apprehending we are too late for the attempt of either of the places with so small a force, as doubtless their Army (or banditti) will stop at these places for some time. It is generally dishonorable to fail in an attempt; however, if you are inclined or furnished with intelligence to encourage the former plans, I am most ready to dedicate my best endeavours with the force I have, of this you will be convinced when Colonel Prevost delivers the pilot's information, which I transmitted to Colonel Fuser;⁷ it respects the ports of Georgia. I must farther add that in my opinion it became proper to examine the Dreadnought and Thunderer galleys. My Carpenter who is a most capable man is on that service, he reports they are not without their faults, but the Dreadnought may be soon fit for service; the Thunderer will require more time and none shall be lost. 

A letter from Captain Shaw, your Aid-de-camp,⁸ of the 18th I confess I am at a loss to understand, as I am confident it was never meant that the Troops should advance by the way of these creeks and narrows without my support, and according to my calculation it would require 30 tides to reach Sunbury by the inland navigation; this delay is owing to the tides dividing at every narrows, or in the middle of every creek. In short, I hope no officer under my orders hath taken upon him to give any opinion in my name, especially as it appears most essentially different from any conversation between us. 

Last night on the passage here I spoke a French snow prize to a privateer, who mentioned his having met a tender belonging to the Roebuck,⁹ from whom he learnt that eleven Sail of the Line belonging to France had arrived in Virginia,¹⁰ that the said privateer had left York 10 days, five days 'ere he came away news of an affair between the Grenadiers, Light Infantry and Simcoe's Corps, with the whole Rebel Army was current, the Rebels were driven back three miles, a General killed and Lee mortally wounded; on our side Colonel Moniton killed and 90 men.¹¹ My informant did not seem to know much; Lord Howe with all the large ships was at Sandy Hook, a large fleet with troops from England expected.¹² The French prisoners deny any war, and are only out two months. 

Perhaps I may have the honor of being with you as soon as this, but at all events I am with true esteem, [&c.]