Sir

The Command of the Ships off Billings Port by the unfortunate accident to the Au­gusta devolving on you, Your attention will be requisite for preventing as much as may be the Effect of any attack attempted to be made on the Vigilant in the situation where she now is placed.—She will be towed forward through the Channel to the W^t.ward of Hog Island,¹ or back to her former Station off of Tinicumb Island, where she may lye afloat at all times of the tide, in readiness however to proceed up against the Fort² as circumstances may induce; and of which Captain Henry will be duly informed,

It may be soon Expedient to drop the Ships below the Cheveaux de frieze, But that measure should be posponed of the two Frigates³ at least untill theVigilant has quitted her present Station—

Two Anchors & two Cables nearest the Establishment of that Ship will be got ready & sent up with all possible dispatch for the Roebuck, Having only One Bower left, she should fall down below the Cheveaux de friezes, tho' it is desireable that the Opportunity should be taken for that purpose after the Close of the Day—

The Camilla & the Cornwallis (Galley) if the last is not necessary for strengthen­ing the advanced Guard of the Ships, would I think be better in the W^t.ern Channel to prevent insults to the other Ships with you from that side.

Care should be taken of the Booms of the Augusta or any of the other Ships which have been temporarily secured on Tinnecomb Island, they may be Employ'd in the meantime as a fence before the advanced Ship, but they should ultimately be preserved for farther Use. I am [&c.]

I am just now informed that more troops have been this morning landed on the Jer­sey Shore—