Sir

By your Letter June 24, indosing a Copy of Mr Grants Letter to the Victualling Board, I am acquainted that their Lordships desire to know by the first Conveyance what is the State of my Provisions for the Squadron, what further Supplies may be necessary, and when and where I would have them sent.

In my Letter August 19 I mentioned generally our Situation and Dependence with respect to Provisions, and I wrote somewhat more particularly to the Victualling Board, a Copy of which is now inclosed.

I inclose also an account of Provisions belonging to the Contractor in Store at Boston for the use of the Fleet. But it must be remembered that we have no reliance on that Scheme of baking Bread this Winter at Boston. Wood is and will be too scarce and dear, it is now from six to eight Dollars a Cord; and I really do not believe it will be possible for the Agent to bake either Loaves or Biscuit, whatever he may think. It will be difficult to provide Fuel to brew Spruce Beer for the Squadron; but this they may depend upon having both here and at Halifax.

I do not find the New York people have yet refused to give the Asia Provisions. It is thought Philadelphia and the Carolinas will not furnish much longer. The Ships at Virginia still get Supplies. At Rhode Island the Contract has totally failed. At Quebec provisions are dear, but the few Ships that go there will get what is required.

But although his Majesty's Ships to the Southward are furnished with provisions at present, may it not be to prevent Supplies being sent from England, in order by discontinuing suddenly in the middle of Winter to involve the Squadron in the deepest distress? The resolves of the Congress respecting nonimportation &c will greatly impede our having provisions regularly. Upon the whole I beg leave to offer it as my opinion that we should not rely upon the Continent of North America for Supplies of Provisions this Winter. Their Lordships have already been pleased to order a proportion of 5000 men for four Months, except Spirits, to be sent here without Delay. The Ships that come to America in future may bring what they can conveniently stow; and we are provided until the end of February if the Friendship Victualler, one of the first four, arrives safe. I should be glad that our Supplies may be sent to Rhode Island, Halifax, or Boston; And, if their Lordships please, the Transports may be ordered to go to either of these places as Winds and Weather may suit.

Being on the Subject of provisions it indispensably becomes my Duty to represent to their Lordships that the custom of supplying New England Rum to his Majesty's Ships is in my humble opinion highly prejudicial to the State. The use of it destroys the Health and Faculties of the People, and debilitates them surprizinzly. The Seamen always continue healthy and active when drinking spruce Beer; but in a few days after New England Rum is served, although mixed with four or five Waters, the Hospital is crouded with sick, and those on board are pallid, weak, and incapable of doing half their Duty. I appeal to the Captains of the Squadron that this is always the Consequence of their Crews having New England Rum. It is indeed beyond Contradiction. At present the Want of fuel will in some measure prevent distilling; But it is a melancholy Consideration that the Seamen in his Majesty's Service must use the most pernicious of all Liquors, and that too often in its very worst State. Upon Inquiry I find that the current price of Rum at Boston from the Windward Islands has been from 22d to two Shillings sterling p Gallon by the single Cask, and that good Jamaica Rum never exceeds half a Crown a Gallon, but has heen generally sold at two Shillings and three pence. I therefore eamesty hope their Lordships will be pleased to take this matter into Consideration, and that in all future Contracts, good merchantable Rum from the West India Islands may be furnished to the Squadron and not less than six months old. I am &c