My Lord,

I have just now the Honor of your Lordship's Letter of the 19^th: Instant¹ in Answer to mine of the 7^th. by the Falcon, since which I wrote You by the Fowey on the 19^th. Also your Lordships Orders to make War upon, take or destroy all Ships of the French Nation appearing on the Coast of North America, and have given Orders in Consequence thereof to the Captains and Commanders of the several Ships and Vessels under my Orders. 

Major General Sir Robert Pigot acquaints me; the Batteries on Goat Island, Brenton's Neck, Dumplins² and the North End of the Town are put in the best State of Defence possible for the time in order to prevent any hostile Intention of the Enemy. 

Agreeable to your Lordship's Intimation respecting the Ships under my Orders should the Enemy appear, and endeavor to get in, I shall take the best Precautions according to Circumstances for their Safety. I must observe to your Lordship that Lieu^t Knowles³ agreeable to my directions has got all the Transports and other Vessels in the inner Harbor, and placed the Grand Duke Store-Ship⁴ across the Mouth of the North Entrance, in order to prevent as much as possible the Enemy's destroying them; The Pigot,⁵ and Rebel Galley Spitfire⁶ are placed at the South Entrance to answer the same purpose, and in case the Enemy should come in, Lieu Knowles has directed to scuttle the Transports. 

As soon as I have reason to apprehend the Enemy's Intention is not to attack this Port; I shall employ one of the Advanced Ships with the Sphynx⁷ to convoy the Wood Vessels from Huntingdon Bay to this Port, and place the Pigot Galley in her Station. 

In my present Situation I know no Mode of supplying the New Galley with Guns of the nearest Calibre she is constructed to bear, but by taking the two 18 Pounders out of the Rebel Galley Spitfire, which I propose doing if the Carriages will answer. 

The Complements of the Pigot and Spitfire are nearly complete; and the deficiencies shall be made up. 

I have given the Surgeon of the Flora a direction to purchase Medicines for the Prisoners agreeable to your Lordships directions on that head, and have divided the Prisoners into two Ships separating those taken in Arms from the rest. 

The ten British Seamen brought from Boston are fit for Service; have been exchanged within the limits of your Lordships former directions, and distributed amongst the Ships in order to complete their Complements; But as I have already acquainted General Sullivan, that, agreeable to your Lordship's Orders none of the New England Prisoners could be exchanged until Restitution was made for the Circumstance of the Royal Bounty;⁸ and from a Rebel Colonel being very desirous to come to Newport to confer with General Pigot; He, as well as myself have reason to believe it has taken a proper Effect, from the Idea they are to be sent to England; The Conference will shew the Event. 

Yesterday the Sphynx, arrived from assisting in Convoying the Vessels up the Sound, Intended to have sent her to cruise 10 or 12 Leagues to the South-ward of Block Island to prevent any Vessels bound to the Port of New York falling into the Enemy's hands, but as Captain Harmood⁹ acquaints me he has been informed by the People on Long Island that they have left the Hook; I shall order her to cruise between the Harbour's Mouth and Block Island, in order to give the earliest Intelligence. 

As Lieut Andrew Congalton first Lieutenant of the Flora, still continues incapable of duty from the Wound he received some time ago; I have given an Order to M^r. Smith Master's Mate, to act as Second Lieu^t. until his recovery or your Lordship's pleasure is known. 

Captain Harmood's Orders from Admiral Gambier being to return immediately, I have therefore dispatched him, with orders to return to his Station, and forward my Letter to your Lordship as soon as possible. I am with great respect My Lord [&c.]