Eagle, Off New York
February the 13th 1777.
Number 22.
Sir,
General Howe having desired that Convoy might be provided for the Security of three Transports appropriated for the Reception of the Officers and Recruiting Parties of the 6th and 14th Regiments destined for England, I have appointed the Carysfort for that Service. Captain Fanshawe, charged with this Dispatch, is directed to forward the same by Express from Plymouth; And getting the Ship made ready for the Dock without Delay, will wait to receive their Lordships' Orders for his further Proceedings, at that Port.
The Changes in the Situation of the Ships of the Fleet since the Date of the last Return sent in the Harriot Packet, have been few. The Flora, Orpheus, Daphne, Lively and Solebay, detained some Days by the Floating Ice, have lately put to Sea for the several purposes in that Return expressed; And the Juno, with the Unicorn (the Term of Captain Ford's Continuance off of the Nantucket Shoals, where he had been ordered by Sir George Collier from Halifax, being expired) have since sailed for Rhode Island, to be employed under the Direction of Sir Peter Parker.
On the 1st Instant the Greyhound, charged to conduct a Detachment of the British Troops embarked in thirteen Transports, pursuant to the General's Requisition, arrived with them from Rhode Island off the Western Entrance of the Sound. But the Wind and Weather did not permit the Transports to enter the East River until the 8th, at which time the Frigate returned back to her former Station.
By the Copies of two Letters from Sir Peter Parker of the 11th and 23d of last Month enclosed herewith, their Lordships will be made acquainted with the most material Circumstances respecting the Commodore's proceedings to those Periods: And also with his Sentiments regarding the Employment which the requisite Attentions on that Station will (at this time) furnish, for the larger Ships retained at Rhode Island, and a stated Number of the Frigates appointed to join him for the purpose of his Instructions of the 22d of last December; Whereof a second Copy is enclosed with the Duplicates of my Letters by the Harriot Packet sent herewith.
As the Commodore's Letters contain some Particulars having reference to his future Conduct; I have submitted my Answer thereto, at large, for their Lordships further Information.
The Demand for Marines to supply the Deficiencies in the Ships on this Station, engages all the Drafts I have thought it prudent to make from the Frigates lately sent to clean in England: The Force of some of the Rebel Armed Vessels considered; and the Regard being had, not to leave the Frigates without any trained Men in their Parties on their Return to this Coast. I am therefore yet unable to act conformably to their Lordships' Intentions, in the Mode they had adopted for recruiting the Marine Battalions at Halifax. It is at the same time to be hoped that the Attention of the Recels may be so much engaged in the Eastern Provinces next Campaign, that they will have little Opportunity to make any material Attempts on that Side.
The Cherokee Tender proceeds with the Carysfort to England: That Vessel not being of a Construction capable of rendering Service as an Armed Vessel on this Coast; and become long since useless for the purpose of her first Appointment, by the early Resolution of the Surveyor to fix his Residence at Charles Town, where, I understand, he still remains.
The Lark, appointed to convoy the Britannia Store-ship sent from Halifax and containing Masts and several other Articles much wanted at thi~ Port, arrived with the Storeship the 8th Instant.
By these Supplies added to the Lading of the Success-Increase, which came with the Amazon, the Stores here will be well provided for some time with many Necessaries, Cordage excepted; the Expence of which is considerable, tho' very parti.cular Care is taken with regard thereto. The Lark will proceed to-morrow for Rhode Island, to be employed under the Orders of Sir Peter Parker.
I am with great Consideration, Sir [&c.]
P.S. To the Papers sent under this Cover is added a List of the Transports ordered to proceed to Europe under Convoy of the Carysfort.
Philip Stephens Esqr
Secretary of the Admiralty.
[Endorsed] (4 Inclosures) R 19 March