My Lord Lord [Jeffrey] Amherst having already given you his opinion whilst I was in the Country, upon the subject of your Lordship's letter of the 7th of this month, respecting Convoy & Arming the Ordnance Vessels, I have nothing to add but my perfect concurrence; that according to the experience I have had in the service, that the best method of transporting the most essential & interesting Stores to the Army & Navy upon the American Station, is by conveying them in 40 Gun-Ships. ー The upper tier of which I apprehend to be superior to any Rebel Privateer, & at the same time great Stowage & room for many Recruits, for the Swivels & small Arms might be afforded. ー Probably 2 or 4 forty Gun Ships might convey all the Stores of the most interesting nature to their Destination with the utmost security. The annual Recruits of Artillery & the Officers destined for this service might be so timed, as to strengthen the Crews & lessen the number of Sailors.
Our Spades, Pickaxes, Felling-axes, Gun Carriages and many Stores known by the name of petty Emptions might be hazarded in Ships of inferior Force. But my Lord I speak this with great deference to another Department, which is the best Judge how far such Ships can, in the circumstances of Affairs be applied to this service; certainly very important in its nature, and which unless the Ordnance is possitively directed to act upon a more enlarged Plan than they seem hitherto to have understood themselves as charged with, they will find great difficulty to execute.
On the other hand my Lord, if it shall not be judged expedient that these Ordnance Stores should be conveyed by Men of War, I hope His Majesty's Orders will be signified to me by your Lordship "that the Ordnance Ships carrying Ordnance and Stores be sufficiently armed & manned against the Rebel Cruizers;" will be extended so as to enable the Ordnance to hire or build Ships of greater force, than seems at present to be understood to be within this Department.
As the Ordnance cannot know what is the American's Naval Force; whether skulking Privateers or Vessels cruizing in company, the only security seems to be in stout Vessels, fitted for close Quarters, and with a proper number of Guns & Men, for which I hope your Lordship's instructions.
It will be necessary in this case, to take our Guns from the Naval Stores, to be replaced for the Navy as soon as possible.
I beg leave to trouble your Lordship with an Extract of His Majesty's Instructions for the Ordnance, by which you will judge of the distinction between the Land & Sea Service in that Department ー and I also trouble your Lordship with the Orders I have given in consequence of the Directions I received this day ー untill His Majesty's pleasure be further Known. I am My Lord [&c.]
Portman Square 21st August 1776
