In Addition to the preceding Letter [January 8], Sir, I beg leave to acquaint their Lordships that H M S Lizard arrivd here on the 9th Instant from the Bay of Fundy, in a very weak State, as their Lordships will see by her weekly return, & by her Defects mark'd No 5.

Lord Howe was pleasd to signifye to me his Permission that I might send the Milford to England to be cleand, if Capt [John] Burr had resumd the Command of Her, & if She was not immediately wanted on this Station; but as Capt Burr is too ill at present to return to his Duty, & as the Milford is very fit to Cruize, I have thought it most for His Majs Service (& Commissioner Arbuthnot agrees with me) to continue the Milford on her former Station (i.e. off Boston,) & to send the Lizard to England in her Room; whose Frame is much out of Order from lying 8 Months ashore at Quebec, & whose other numerous Defects & Wants (particularly all her Masts & Boltsprit to be shifted) would make the giving Her proper Repair at this Yard (where we have very few Artificers) a Work of great Time, as well as considerable additional Expence to Government: I hope therefore the Measure of sending the Lizard home, will be approvd of by their Lordships; I shall direct Capt [Thomas J Mackenzie to Convoy. such Ships, &c., as are bound to England, or Ireland (from hence), so far, as their Way lies together, & then proceed to Portsmouth at the Request of the Merchants of this Place who have shippd a Quantity of Specie on board Her, for London.