My Lord,

His Majesty's Ship Proteus which, with the Porpoise, has been appointed to carry the Camp Equipage, Cloathing & Stores intended for the Use of the Army in Canada, continuing Wind bound in this River and the Porpoise being on her Passage from the Nore to Spithead where she may be very soon expected, and where a great Number of Merchant Ships with valuable Cargoes are waiting for Convoy impatient to proceed on their Voyage: Under these Circumstances, we submit to Your Lordship whether it will not be adviseable that we should order the Captain of His Majesty's Ship Blond now at Spithead & ready to sail, to take the Porpoise on her Arrival there under his Command, as also the Merchant Ships aforementioned under his Convoy, and proceed with them to Quebec without waiting for the Proteus, as in that case another Frigate may be in readiness to sail with the Proteus from Spithead by the time she arrives there. We are &c