Sir

On the 8th instant the Savage put back with three Vessels seized under the restraining Act for the Northern Colonies. On the 10th the Hope and St Lawrence Schooners arrived from the Bay of Fundy with a Convoy of Transports with forage for the Army.

Governor Carleton applied to me some time in July last for two of his Majestys Sloops of War, and an additional Number of Shipwrights and Seamen, in order to build Vessels and regain the Navigation of the Lakes and drive out the Rebels, who had invaded the province of Canada. I was under the necessity of acquainting his Excellency that it was then entirely out of my power to assist him. General Carleton has since picked up the Gaspee, and on the Hunters Arrival I immediately determined to lend that Sloop to him also, but the Head of her foremast being sprung, and she wanting other repairs besides a new Mast, she did not sail till the 12th instant. I have given Captain Mackenzie Orders to proceed without a moments loss of time to Quebec, and there co-operate with and assist Governor Carleton to the utmost of his power against the Rebels, to take the Gaspee under his Command, and to remain in the River St Lawrence until further orders. The Savage sailed the same time for Halifax.

I inclose the Sentence of a Court Martial held the 11th instant on Captain Collins, whom I instantly restored to the Command of the Nautilus. I cannot avoid expressing my disapprobation of the Court, considering mulcting an Officer for breach of Orders, where there has been no peculation, to be an improper Punishment. And it will give me Satisfaction, if their Lordships, viewing this Matter in the same light, are pleased to indulge me with remitting the Fine.

The four New England Governments being absolutely at War with us, it is no longer safe to attempt carrying on the Survey under the direction of Captain [Samuel] Holland, and apprehending that gentleman and those employed under him, with their Plans, Charts and Instruments &ca to be in great danger of being seized by the Rebels, Notwithstanding their Labours are for the general good of Mankind, I have wrote to Captain Holland at Perth Amboy, and directed him to put the abovementioned Articles on board the Asia for Security; I have directed Captain Vandeput to receive all the Surveyors on board the Asia if they desire it; and, as soon as I hear from Captain Holland, I shall order those borne on the Canceaux's Books to be discharged.

I received a Letter from Captain Vandeput the 9th instant, to which I returned an Answer next day, I inclose an extract of Captain Vandeputs Letter and a Copy of my Answer.

Having been obliged to send the Kingsfisher. to Virginia I ordered Captain Pryce on the Viper on the 13th instant to proceed over the Shoals with a Transport to Rhode Island, and, leaving her with Captain Wallace, to go on through the Sound to New York, and put himself under the Command of Captain Vandeput, He accordingly fell down to Nantasket the 13th. By the Viper I sent Orders to Captain Wallace to put the supernumerary Marines and Seamen on board the Rose and Glasgow into the Swan, and to send that Sloop with them to Boston. I have ordered Lieutenant Thomas Graves in the Bolton Brig to put himself under the Command of Captain Wallace, and to sail with another Transport in Company of the Viper.

I transmit an Extract of a Letter from General Gage expressing his desire for a Schooner to go to St Augustine. I immediately appointed the St Lawrence to that Service.

On the 14th I ordered Captain Vandeput strictly to watch the Ferries from New York to the Jerseys and Long Island, and endeavour to seize any of the Delegates to the Congress, the Rebel General Officers, and most active abettors of the Rebellion of what Degree soever. Their Lordships may probably desire to know the general Tenor of my Orders respecting the Rebels, to the Captains of the Squadron, I therefore inclose a Copy of those given the 22d August to the Honorable Captain Tollemache upon his going to North Carolina; and of the 17th of September to Captain Collins of the Nautilus on his return to the Delaware; The same day I ordered Capt. Wallace not only to take or destroy Rebels at Sea, but to lay waste and set fire to those Towns on the Sea Coast that shelter pyrates, or from whence any are fitted out, constantly protecting and defending his Majesty's faithful Subjects and their property where ever they can be distinguished.

The Wind blowing easterly prevented the Viper, Bolton, and Transports from sailing according to their Orders. On the 17th at Night I received a Letter from Captain Pryce of his Majesty's Sloop Viper, a Copy of which is inclosed. In consequence whereof I ordered the Surgeons of his Majesty's Ships that happened to be at Nantasket to examine Captain Pryce; I transmit a Copy of their Report. Being myself perfectly satisfied of his Unfitness to serve from great age and infirmities, I consented to his quitting the Command of the Viper, the present Juncture requiring active men capable of bearing the Fatigue of those Vessels.

I have already acquainted you in my Letter August 17th that Lieut. Graeme of the Preston was sent to put Captain Macartney in Arrest, and to command the Mercury by order; that Ship not being arrived, and the Viper detained only by contrary Winds from sailing with "Orders of great Consequence to Captains Wallace and Vandeput, and that Sloop being also much wanted with the Asia at New York; I thought it would in all events be best for the Kings Service to appoint a Commander to her, I therefore gave a Commission to my Nephew Lieut. Samuel Graves of the Preston. But as I am well apprized of the irregu larity of this measure, I beg leave to observe that I should not have put in the second Lieutenant of the Preston, had I not been certain of a Vacancy for the first; the Charge against Captain Macartney being of that nature not to be tried abroad with Satisfaction to all parties, nor without great Detriment to the Kings Service. I beg, Sir, you will be so good to represent to their Lordships that I do not mean by this appointment ta: establish a precedent, and that I shall strictly observe the Regulations they have been pleased to make; but that in truth, considering this Step to be most advantageous to the Kings Service, I have ven tured upon it; and I shall hold myself under very great Obligations to their Lord ships, if they are pleased to confirm my Nephew's Appointment to the Viper.

I have appointed Mr Edward Sneyd Midshipman on board the Preston to be third Lieutenant of her, and removed the former third Lieutenant to second.

I inclose a Copy of a Letter to me from Captain Wallace and of the papers referred to therein. I cannot sufficiently express my Satisfaction with his Alertness and Zeal for the Cause of his Country against the Rebels. I have sent the Bolton Brig to him with a few Howitzers &c, acquainting him at the same time that he must not suffer the New Londoners to carry off the Schooner and Hay with impunity. I flatter myself the Connecticutians will soon repent the preferring to make War against their Sovereign rather than continuing peaceable and obedient If I am erring in pursuing, as far as I can, severe measures against his Majesty's rebellious Subjects, I hope it will appear they have not been hastily adopted; that the losses his Majesty's Squadron and Army have already suffered, and the determination of the Rebels to destroy us at all opportunities, do fully justify the most rigorous punishment that can be inflicted; and that I cannot in conscience do otherwise consistent with my Duty to his Majesty and my Country.

Governor Wentworth desiring to be landed in any part within his Govern ment, to prorogue the General Assembly of the Province of New Hampshire, sailed the 20th instant in the Hope Schooner to the Isle of Shoals, from whence his Excellency returned to Boston this day, and Lieutenant [George] Dawson brought with him two Vessels seized for coasting contrary to Law.

Ten Sail of Transports being got ready to go to Penobscot Bay to get fuel for the Garrison; upon the Generals application for Convoy to them I appointed the Lively; but one Ship not being thought sufficient the General armed the Spy Transport, and a Sloop: On board the first I have put a Lieutenant, two Midshipmen and 19 Men from the Boyne, and manned. the Sloop out of the other Ships. On the 20th the Lively sailed with this Convoy; together with the Nautilus, Viper, Bolton, St Lawrence and Halifax; and the Transports for Rhode Island.

Finding the people of Great Britain and Ireland continue migrating to the Colonies, and the Kings Army here being in want of Recruits, I directed Captain Vandeput by an Order dated the 24th instant upon the arrival of any Ship or Vessel at New York with Emigrants from Great Britain or Ireland not to suffer one of them to land, but to send the Ship or Vessel round to Boston.

The Charlotte hired Sloop sailed the 24th with Dispatches to the Southward.

I am this moment acquainted that a Frigate is coming up, I therefore close this Letter in full expectation of the most interesting Accounts from Great Britain.

I am &c