Sir

I am to desire you will acquaint my Lords Commissrs of the Admty, that I arrived in the Bason of Quebec the 6th Inst at 4 OClock in the Morning with His Majesty's Ship under my Command, being the first Ship from Europe, and without any Interruption from the Ice: being the Senior Captain in the River St Lawrence, I enclose a List of His Majesty's armed Vessels on the Lakes, and number of Men employed on that Service, having not had time to get a more regular return from Captn Lutwidge.²

The Garland, Triton and Viper Sloop have hauled into the Stream, and do not find that they have suffered in the least from the Ice, during the Winter ー Captn Lutwidge of the Triton at the request of His Excellency General Sir Guy Carleton to Capt Pearson, is gone to command on the Lakes, and I have sent Lieutenants Brown of the Apollo, and Turnbull of the Triton to assist him.

As the General has made no fresh requisition for Men for the Lake Service, I am employing the Apollo's people in bringing down the Transports from Sorel, in order to their being caulked and put into a Condition to return to England, and I hope they will be ready by the time the Blonde arrives, when the Supernumeraries she brings out, will replace those on the Lakes; I am likewise giving every assistance in my Power to the Transports here, but for want of Caulkers (most of those, I have, being employed on the Battoes for the Army) it will be some time before they have all sailed.

The Charlotte a Victualler being the first Ship ready, having fourteen Guns, and being a remarkable good Sailer, I have converted into an armed Ship, and have put on board her the Men invalided from His Majesty's Ships here, and others from the Army, and His Excellency General Sir Guy Carleton having no Officer to send home, I have given orders to Lieutenant Burchell appointed last Year to the Viper, to take charge of His Excellency's Dispatches for the Secretary of State, and he will deliver µiine to you for their Lordships.

I sent the Gaspé Brig, which sailed the 17th Instant, to Hallifax, with Dispatches for the Lord Viscount Howe, and General Sir William Howe.

I enclose a List of the Transports, Victuallers, and Treasury armed Vessels now at Quebec &ca.

The Tartar, Captain Ommaney, arrived here the 25th Instant with Ten Transports &ca under his Convoy, from New York and Hallifax, that were prevented by bad Weather from entering the River St Lawrence at the close of the Season last Year.

I am Sir [&c.]