Sir

I have been favoured with your letter of this days date relative to the Boats having been prevented from passing backward & forwards between the different transports, ー In Answer to which I am to acquaint you, that observing the Transports frequently brought too & hoisted their boats out, by which the Convoy was detained, I directed the Swift (Sloop) to prevent their doing it, Imagine there must have been at least a Surgeons mate on board each Ship, as the Sick must be in a miserable way, if they can receive no Assistance but when a boat may be sent without retarding the Convoy ー

My only motive was to forward the Service by conducting the Trans ports with the utmost dispatch to the Place of destination I am [&c.]

To Captn Ferguson 70 Regt
Commanding the Partys of Recruits
for Genl Howes Army —