Antelope, Jamaica May 19th 1775
Sir/
I beg leave to acquaint you, that I have received your Letters of the 31st Janry & 1st Febry last, in Answer to those of mine of the 22nd Novr & 9th Decr, 1774, and am glad I have the Honor to meet with their Lordships approbation, in regard to my Duty.
I beg leave to acquaint their Lordships, that by the last Pensacola Pacquet, I received a Letter from Captain Rodney, of His Majesty's sloop Ferret, informing me, that if he had a Deputation from the Customs, it would enable him, to carry on the service, in puting a stop to the Illicit Trade, carried on in the Mississippi, better than he is able to do without it, and that he had agreeable to my directions, applied to the Collector, at Pensacola, for one, but could not get One. Since that I have applied to the Collector, at Kingston, who informs me, 'tis not in his Power, to grant One, therefore it rests with their Lordships, whether the Captains, who are sent on that service, are to be furnish'd with Deputations, or not.
I further beg leave to inform their Lordships, that the 1st inst Jno McKenzee, deliver'd himself up to me, as a Deserter, from the Plymouth Division of Marines, he is at present in Confinement on board the Antelope, & that I propose sending him to England, in the Pallas.
I likewise beg leave to acquaint their Lordships, that the 10th instant, I appointed Wm Dobbs Cook of the Maidstone in the Room of the former Deceased.
Mr Holman, the New storekeeper is arrived, & has made Application to me, for Assistance in taking the General survey, of his Majestys stores here, in order to be deliver'd into his Charge, which Assistance I shall grant, as soon as ever in my Power.
With regard to the Disposition of His Majestys Ships and Vessells, under my Command, beg leave to acquaint their Lordships that since my last, the Squirrel arrived, & that she, & the Maidstone, are both fit for the sea, ー I received information by the Pacquet, that Admiral [William] Parrys Squadron, were Cruizing between the Islands of St Martins, & St Eustatia, in order to intercept the American Vessells who were carrying on a Contraband Trade, and that they had taken two, or three of them. I therefore, as I thought it probable the next Pacquet, would bring me Orders to the same effect, with regard to the American Vessels, trading to Cape Nichola Mole, & Francois, therefore have detained the Squirrel, & Maidstone until her arrival, when if I have no Orders concerning them, I shall send the former, to the Mosquitto Shore, & Bay of Honduras, & the latter on a Cruize, which I hope will meet with their Lordships Approbation.
I am with great respect Sir [&c.]