Sir

day Please to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that this I arrived with his Majesties Sloop the Ranger under my Command at Spithead, in pursuance of Commodor Sir Peter Parker's Order, from South Carolina, in a leaky condition; having on board Captain [Charles] Hope charged with dispatches from the Commodore, and Generl Clintons Secretary charged with his dispatches. ー I sail'd from the Bar of Charles Town the 15th of July, and in my track on the 20th in the Lattd of 35° 18' N. Longd from the Bar 8° 46' Et I fell in with a Trading Sloop belonging to the Rebels, from Ocrecock in North Carolina, bound to Cape Nicholas Mole, laden with Tobacco, and Lumber, to purchase in returne arms, Powder, or Saltpetre. I seiz'd her, exchanged the Prisoners and Order'd the prize to proceed to the first port in England. The Master informs me that it was reported in North Carolina, that Arm'd Vessels were Intended to be sent to cruze, to intercept the Homeward bound Trade, off the Western Islands. ー On the 27th it blowing very fresh with thick rainy weather and a great Sea; at 6 o'Clock in the Morning in the Lattd of 39° 20' N Longd. from Carolina 19° Et saw a Sail to the westward standing after us, Coming, up very fast, on which I immediately Clear'd for Action, at ½ past 7 she Came near us, on which I hoisted the Colours and fir'd a shot at her, she hoisted a Rebel flag at her topmast head (being a Sloop of 12 Carriage guns) and return'd a shot, we exchanged several shot; as the Sea run very heigh our Carriage guns was mostly under water, and rendered almost useless. I keepd to the leeward of her that I might be able if possable to make use of the weather guns, which I did between whiles. She made frequent attempts to get to leeward of us, which I as often prevented at ½ past 8 she hauld the wind and made sail from us. I chaced her, but she being very clean, out saild us considerably. I therefore thought it most prudent to proceed on my proper course, having the above dispatches on board. I am Sir [&c.]

Agreeable to My Lords Commisrs of the Admiralty's directions to me, I delivered their Commission to Mr Charles Loggie appointing him Lieutenant of his Majesties Sloop the Ranger, on the 29 of March and was Sworn by Sir Peter Parker the 3d of June

Inclosed is the state and Condition of his Majesties Sloop under my Command.

Endorsed 21 Aug 1776 Spithead Captn Wills of the Ranger Rx same day by Captn Hope [Note on back] 22 Aug Own rect & approve of his proceedings