My Lord: 

I had the Honor of acquainting Your Lordship by a former one of the 30^th of June,¹ of my Arrival here at Night the 26^th., landing the next Day, and immediately, with the usual Ceremonies, put into Possession of the Government, and Command of the Forces, agreeable to His Majesty's Commissions—²... 

The Want here of Intelligence, for a long Continuance of Time, principally from Europe and the Scene of War, might prove highly disadvantageous to the King's Service in this part of the World; till the Arrival of our Fleet, there had been no accounts from Great Britain for nine or ten Months, but what were conveyed in Rebel Newspapers, or those brought in from foreign Ports, or the West Indies; I am assured, that the Intelligence brought in by scouting Parties, Royalists, or Deserters, has hitherto in General proved far wide of the Truth, and no wonder, considering the Number of Lies industriously circulated through every part of America; a Vessel or two from Halifax have arrived this Season, and we are still ignorant of the real State of Affairs to the Southward—

This determined me to purchase a small Rebel Privateer, that came up within forty Leagues of the Town, taken by the Triton, after having made four Prizes, and plundered one of the King's Post, in the River,³ and as she goes exceedingly well, I design her for a Advise Boat between this place and Halifax, for which Service she is now preparing; this may however prove of little Avail, except the Commander in Chief upon the Sea Coasts⁴ be directed to forward there, for my Information, from time to time, Accounts of the Movements upon that side, and the Intelligence He procures of the Rebels Designs, as that may help to decide the Measures, the King's Service requires me to take upon this, and the Vessels employed in this Business, will still be cruising against the Enemy— 

Your Lordship must be the best Judge of the Mode of conveying more frequent Intelligence from Europe to this Province; were some of the unemployed Packets, or other light Vessels, well armed, to sail at the Interval of a Month or six Week from each other, while the Navigation is open, it might prove of singular Advantage to the King's Service, it would be very agreeable, and Beneficial, I believe, to the trading Interest, both at Home & abroad—... 

Several Applications have been made to me since my Arrival for Letters of Marque, but notwithstanding Your Lordship’s circular Letter of 10^th. January,⁵ I do not find, I am impowered to grant them, the Lords of the Admiralty not having yet vested me with any Authority for that Purpose—... I have the Honor to be with great Respect My Lord: Your Lordship’s &c