Sir,

I take the Opportunity by a Merchant Ship returning to Europe, to let You know that the Augusta arrived here the 11th Instant; And the Elephant Store-Ship (which had put into Halifax to repair the Damages sustained by bad Weather on the passage) two Days after.

I have the Satisfaction to be fully apprised by your Letters of the 4th of March, concerning the Arrangement the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have been pleased to make for supplying the Naval Force necessary in the proposed Operations of the ensuing Campaign; Whereon I deem it inexpedient to say more by this precarious Conveyance.

I informed you in my last of the 23d-of April, that a Detachment of the Army had been embarked by the General's Appointment, to be landed on the Coast of Connecticut, for destroying a very considerable Magazine formed by the Rebels at Danbury in that Province.

The Service being critical, and the Navigation intricate, I committed the Conduct of it to Captain [Henry] Duncan: The Captains [Anthony James Pye] Molloy and [Samuel Wittewronge] Clayton commanding the Flat-Boats under his Orders. And I have the pleasure of being able to report that the several parts of the Service were executed with much Skill and Judgment.

The Arrival of the Detachment being unexpected, no Opposition was made to the Landing near Norwalk. When the Troops were formed on their Return to the Shore, preparatory to their Re-embarkation, after the most complete Success in the intended purpose, the Rebels advanced with an apparent Design to charge them. But being thereupon attacked and dispersed the Detachment was taken off without further Interruption.

In the Success, Mr Iver McMillan Master, by whom this Letter is forwarded, the several French Officers and others supposed to be of that Rank and named in the enclosed List, are embarked to take their passage to England. They were stopped in different foreign Vessels attempting an Intercourse with the rebellious Colonists. And I have added hereto a Letter received from One of them, with those referred to in it, explanatory of their Motives for coming to this Country.

The Master of the Success will deliver these passengers to the Care of the Officer commanding in the first port at which he may arrive in England. But if he should have no such Opportunity to dispose of them before he reaches the port of his Destination, he will give You Notice thereof, and wait to receive their Lordships Directions concerning them. He has been induced also to give passage to twenty seven Invalid Seamen discharged from the Ships of War at this port.

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

[Endorsed] 18 May 1777 Vice Adml Lord Visct Howe R 24 June, by the post (4 Inclosures)