Number 27.
Sir,

Several Transports from Cork with Provisions for the Army, having most of them, without any apparent Necessity, bore up for the West Indies and put into Antigua; Vice Admiral [James] Young appointed Lieutenant Hugh Christian of the Navy to embark in one of them and conduct such as were in Readiness to proceed at the same time, for this Port.

Lieutenant Christian arrived here with the several Transports in the enclosed List described, the 5th Instant: Having testified great Attention and Diligence on that Occasion. The two last Ships upon the List are part of the Thames's Convoy: But no Intelligence has yei: been received of the Elephant Store-Ship, nor the Ordnance-Transport [Unity].

Vice Admiral Young expresses in his Letter by Lieutenant Christian of the 12th of February, his Regret on Account of the unavoidable Delay which the Frigates sent to be cleaned and refitted at Antigua, would meet with from the Nature of the Climate and small Number of Artificers to be procured there. Captain Hamond advises me that he arrived in English Harbour with the Pearl the 27th of January: And having under the Vice Admiral's Inspection, attended to give the earliest Dispatch to the cleaning and refitting of those two Ships, expected to be joined in time by the Camilla and Perseus, and to be returned upon his former Station by the 20th of last Month.

I have great Concern to hear by the same Opportunity, of the Death of Captain Wilkinson of the Pearl, an Officer of most distinguished Resolution and Ability. He died the 15th of February.

The Phoenix sailed Yesterday for her former Station in Chesepeak Bay. And the Brune and Merlin the 5th Instant for the Coast of NorthCarolina. These being the only Changes made in the Disposition of the 31st past, enclosed with my last Letter of the same Date.

I am, with great Consideration, Sir [&c.]