My Lord,

Vice Admiral Young Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels at the Leeward Islands, having transmitted to Us, in his Letter of the 10th of August last, Copies of the Correspondence which had passed between him & the Governor of Martinico, respecting the Action between the Shark Sloop & an American Armed Vessel off that Island (an account of which was enclosed to Your Lordship in Our Letter of the 17th Ultimo); We send your Lordship herewith a Copy of Vice Admiral Young's said Letter with its several Inclosures for His Majesty's Information; And as your Lordship will observe by the Admiral's said Letter that he wishes to receive farther direction in regard to that part of His Majesty's Instructions (a printed Copy of which is herewith enclosed) respecting American Prisoners, no place of security being provided for them on shore, and the number likely to be soon encreased too considerably to admit of their being kept with any propriety on board of Ships in a hot Climate; We are to desire Your Lordship will receive & signify to Us His Majesty's further pleasure, respecting such American Prisoners as have already been carried, or may hereafter be carried not only to the Leeward Islands but to Jamaica & other Places, as the like Inconveniency may be expected to arise there, as are pointed out by Adml Young in his Letter abovementioned. We are [&c.]

[Endorsed] Admiralty Office 11th Octr 1776. Lords of the Admiralty. B. R 14th (6 Inclosures) Entd