Sir

The Board of Ordnance have by the King's Command, prepared a Supply of Ordnance Stores for St Augustine the Tonnage of which will Amount to about 87 Tons, and they have likewise prepared a Supply of Ordnance Stores for St Vincent which will require about the same Quantity of Freight; and as neither of these Supplies are sufficient to load a Vessel capable of making a good Defence against a Rebel Cruizer, and the Board being restrained by His Majesty's Command from Shipping Ordnance Stores in any other, they have represented the difficulty they are under to Lord George Germain, and his Lordship has directed me to state the matter to you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in the hope that their Lordships will be able to point out some safe mode of conveying the said Stores to the places of their destination; And you will be pleased also to acquaint their Lordships that there are about 50 Tons of Goods suitable for presents to the Indians, provided by direction of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury to be sent to St Augustine, which consist of Articles equally important to His Majesty's Service, and the Capture of which by the Rebels would be of equally mischievous Consequences with that of Ordnance Stores; and therefore demand a Conveyance equally Safe. I am further directed to add that there is a Party consisting of 25 Recruits for the Garrison of St Augustine, which want a Conveyance to that place, and that there are about 200 Recruits for the 48th Regt at Grenada, also ready to be sent out to that Island. I am &ca