Sir  With great Pleasure I have received and read your Account of the action with the Rebels at Stony town: I very much approve of your Conduct, and am happy to learn the good Effects resulting from it.

The Rebels are fortifying their Sea Port Towns, and are endeavouring to equip a Naval Force; they will really become formidable from their unwearied Application and from remaining unmolested: therefore I can no longer forbear to take such measures on this occasion, however disagreeable and dangerous, as his Majesty's Honour, the safety of the Squadron and Army in America and my own Duty requires. To this end you will receive the inclosed Order; and I desire that in obeying it, you will endeavour to distinguish as much as possible his Majesty's loyal Subjects from his inveterate Enemies and Subverters of legal Authority and good Government.

I observe you have manned two Sloops, and though I am satisfied how necessary small Vessels are for the Service you are employ'd on, yet the Ships with me are in such want of men, that I am obliged to take your Supernumeries, I consent however to your reserving twenty above your Complement, which with what you raise in future will make the Rose tolerably well manned.

I send Lieutt. [Thomas] Graves in the Bolton Brig to reinforce your little Squadron, and will replace the Swan with another Sloop as soon as possible. A Letter from Governor Bruere Yesterday confirmed the Account you have given of the Robbery at Bermudas. We knew of the Powder being taken from the Storeship bound to St Augustine, but Sir James Wright hoped that the Carolinians intended it to fulfill their Indian Engagements, and that it would not have been sent to the Rebel Army. The Vessel with Arms from St Croix is bad News indeed.

I hear the Alderney and Raven Sloops are on their passage to me from England; by these Vessels we may expect I think the ultimate Determination of Great Britain with respect to her rebellious Colonies. In the mean time we must endeavour to annoy and distress them to the utmost: You may expect to hear we have begun to the Eastward, but I would not have such Intention mentioned for obvious Reasons. I suppose you will not suffer them to carry off your Hay Sloop with impunity, but I desire you will be cautious of engaging with the shore where the Dangers are so disproportioned to the expected Advantages.

We are and shall be in want of good Pilots for the Sound, Nantucket Shoals, and indeed for the whole Coast. Such as you can meet with I would have detained, and, if they will serve voluntarily, they shall immediately commence Pay.

I am &c