Extract of a Letter from Captain Thomas Lloyd of His Majestys Sloop Atalanta, dated at Sea the 16th September 1776.

I am sorry to be under the Necessity of laying a Complaint before you against the Master of the Packet but his Conduct has been such that I cannot look over it, On Monday the 9th September P M, the Packet went a head, Fird two, 6, Pounders to make her keep her Station, when she came within Hail I ask'd him why he did not Obey his Instructions, he answer'd he did all he could & that he would leave me to Morrow; I told him he should not if I could come up with him, he immediately shot a head, drop'd in our Hawse & carried away the Spritsail Yard, which you will see by my Journal on my arrival and last Night about 7 oclock, I made the Signal & Tack'd, in order to speak with the Porcupine, he then took that Oppertunity to make off, and I have not seen him since I am Sir [&c.]

A Copy. Clark Gayton