Sir.  Yesterday Governor [John] Wentworth sent on board His Majesty's Ship under my Command, John Johnson, a deserter from the 43d Regiment desireing I wou'd keep him on board until an Oppertunity offerd to send him to your Excellency. I will therefore send him in the first Kings Vessel that goes for Boston, he seems very sensible of his past error, in desirting of His Majesty's Service in this Country, and acquaints me there is ten or twelve deserters at New Boston, the Town where he has been at who mean to return to their duty if they can by any means get to this Town, if they shou'd I shall take care to keep them safe til an Oppertunity offers to send them to you.

I shall be very happy if I coud be of any service to your Excellency in this part.

Inclosed I have sent you a Letter that accompanyed the Deserter.

I am [&c.]

Scarborough  at Portsmouth April 13th 1775.