[Extract]

. . . In respect to the Ships to be sent to Lord Howe, as the requisitions made by General Howe cou'd not be complied with, His Lordship [Lord North] thought it became more necessary to do what was in the Power of this Country, and to give Lord Howe, the Ships he asked; and Lord North thought the Cabinet had advised it in fact, but by having given Lord Howe One Ship of 74 Guns & 600d Men, four Ships of 64 and 500d Men each (as he apprehended) and the Isis of 50 with 380 Men, of which Ship he had no use last year by her being at Quebec although she was of his Squadron, Lord North thought these Ships equal to Lord Howes requisition of 6 additional Ships of the Line of not less force than 60 Guns each; and that these Ships together with the two of the Line with Lord Howe would compleat the number 8 which he desired ー This Mr Robinson communicated to Lord Sandwich; Lord North had also mentioned his Ideas herein to Lord Suffolk and to Lord Dartmouth, and Lord North is to see Lord Sandwich hereon at 12° to Day; but upon Mr Robinsons seeing Lord Sandwich yesterday again on the Subject, He tells Mr Robinson that there is only the Albion of 74 & 600d Men and the Nonsuch, Augusta, and Somerset of 64 Guns and 500d Men each, together with the Isis of 50 Guns & 380 Men gone, or ordered to go to join Lord Howe, which makes one 64 less than Lord North apprehended the Cabinet advised; and Lord Sandwich also observed that the Asia is come home; so that Lord Howe has only one Line of Battle Ship with him, and consequently without further Addition, he will have two less than he desires. This Mr Robinson stated yesterday to Lord North, after he had seen Lord Sandwich, to which Lord North said; That in his Opinion the Asia should be replaced to Lord Howe, and that another Ship of 64 Guns should be sent, and then, reckoning the Albion of 74 and the Isis of 50 equal to two 64s which he tho't might be fairly done, Lord Howe will have the full Complement he desires: And Lord North again repeated that he thought the replacing these Ships, by immediately equipping more, must depend on the ffrench Armaments, and the Advices received, for if they go on, Lord North thinks there should certainly not be any time lost in proceeding here . . .