My Lord

In my Letter to your Lordship of the 23d of July by the Perseus I informed your Lordship of every occurrence necessary for your knowledge up to that time.

I have now the honor to acquaint your Lordship that my Lords thinking it might afford protection to the Homeward bound Trade from the West Indies if a Ship was stationed off the Island of Bermuda, have ordered Captain [Samuel] Clayton (who commands the Camilla in the absence of Captain [Charles] Phipps) to cruize off that Island for one Month for that purpose, and to look out for and to use his best endeavours to take or destroy any of the Rebel Cruizers that may infest those parts and at the expiration of that time to proceed to join your Lordship at New York, and she sailed from Plymouth under these Orders on the 20h of last Month.

The Pembroke and Boulogne which, as I have already informed your Lordship, have been fitted, the former as a Hulk, and the latter for Harbour Service at Halifax, sailed for that place from St Helens the 22d ultimo.

The four Ships named in the Margin[*] have been taken up to carry out the Clothing for the Armies serving in North America; and it being of the utmost consequence to the King's Service that the said Ships should arrive in safety at the places of their respective destinations, My Lords have ordered them to be manned and armed that they may defend themselves in case they should by accident lose their Convoy and be attacked by any of the Rebel Cruizers And for their greater security an Officer and 20 Soldiers are embarked on board each of them. Their Lordships have also directed the Navy Board to appoint the undermentioned Lieutenants and Midshipmen to go on board these Ships as against their Names expressed, Vizt

Mr Horsenail Midshipman and another Midshipman to be lent from the Richmond

Mr William Ingram Meek Mids. and another Midshipman to be lent from the Vulture.

Lieut Henry Colins
Mr William Essington Mids.

Lieut Robert McEvoy

Mr Rouse Mate of the Experiment with Instructions to superintend the Navigating them, to explain to their Masters the Convoy Instructions and Signals and in case of separation to direct the Ships proceeding agreeable to th Rendezvous and Orders that may be given them by the Captains of the Convoys, and in conjunction with the Officers commanding the Troops put on board them, to assist in defending them in case of being attacked.

Their Lordships have ordered the Captain of the Richmond to take the Mellish one of the said Clothing Ships under his Convoy, together with the King George Transport having on board Recruits for the Army in Canada, and proceed with them to Quebec and having seen them in safety thither to proceed to join your Lordship at New York.

The Captain of the Vulture hath also orders to take the Hunter under his Command and in conjunction with her Convoy the Newcastle Jane another of the said Clothing Ships to Halifax, He is likewise to take under his Convoy the Success Increase laden with Naval Stores and the three Victuallers named in the Margin[**] for the use of the Fleet under your Lordships Command, and having seen them in safety to Halifax, to proceed together with the Hunter, to join your Lordship at New York.

The Captain of the Mermaid by whom your Lordship will receive this hath orders to convoy the Catharine and Richmond, the two remaining Ships with Clothing on board, to New York, The Mermaid will also take under her Convoy the Fifteen Victuallers named in the Margin[***] laden with Provisions for the use of the Fleet in America which Victuallers with the three beforementioned take the whole proportion of Provisions mentioned in my former Letters; and if the Elephant Storeship, which is now lading Naval Stores in the Thames can be got round to Spithead in time she will also accompany the Mermaid

I am further to acquaint your Lordship that for the greater security of the Success Increase Naval Storeship Their Lordships have ordered the Navy Board to appoint Mr Fortunatus Wright a Midshipman to go on board her with similar Instructions to those given the Officers commanding the 4 Clothing Ships: They have also ordered a Subaltern Officer and 20 Marines to be put on board of her, who are upon her arrival at Halifax to be landed to serve in the Battalion a shore.

It being intended that Lieutenant McEvoy of the Isis and Mr Rouse Masters Mate of the Experiment, should repair on board the Ships to which they respectively belong, and that Lieutenant Colins and the other Petty Officers abovementioned should return to England after they have performed the Service aforementioned, I have it in command from my Lords to desire your Lordship will give the necessary orders for that purpose.

Their Lordships have ordered 60 Landmen to be sent to your Lordship by the Ships named in the Margin in the proportion against each Ship expressed to be distributed on board the Squadron towards compleating their Complements in such proportions as your Lordship shall judge proper.

I have only to add that their Lordships have ordered the Commissioners of the Victualling to provide 130 Tons of Sour Krout for the use of the Squadron under your Lordships command, and that it will be sent out to you as soon as possible. I have the honor to be &c.

P: S:

(By the Mermaid)
Duplicates sent 24 Octr 1776 by Major Cuyler