Sir

I wrote you fully by the Pallas Transport, which sailed from hence the 12th Ulto with General Gage on board: The next day upon advices received from Canada, General Howe applied to me for a Convoy to some Transports intended to carry two Regiments to Quebec. As they could not be got ready to sail until the end of October, I consulted the Captains with me and others well acquainted with the River St Lawrence upon the probability of their getting up. All the Gentlemen were of opinion it was so late in the Season that Winter would be set in too severely by the time the Ships could get in the River St Lawrence, and that hard Gales of Wind and Snow Storms would not only prevent their getting up, but perhaps endanger the loss of the whole Convoy. I intended to have sent the Cerberus; but, upon my communicating to General Howe the danger there was of the Troops neither getting to Quebec, nor returning here again, he gave up all thoughts of sending any to Canada this fall.

The 12th the Nautilus anchored in Nantasket and the next day I received a Letter from Capt. Collins a Copy of which is inclosed. Wishing to continue as much force as possible in the Bay, I ordered him to cruize another Week, and then come up to Boston and get ready to go to the Southward with Lord Dartmouths Dispatches for the Governors of his Majesty's Southern Colonies.

The Cerberus being now caulked, victualled and in all respects fit for Sea, I directed the Scarborough to take her Station in Charles Town River, and Captain Symons to cruize between Cape Cod and Cape Anne until the Mercury returned from convoying the Pallas Transport, then to extend his Cruize to Casco Bay, visiting Piscatagua and the Isle of Shoals as he found Opportunity.

One Division of Transports with live Cattle and Forage for the Army arrived the 16th from Annapoli[s.] On the 18th the Nautilus came up from her Cruizes Captain Collins being in a very ill State of health. I granted him Leave to be on shore while the Sloop is getting ready again for Sea. The Falcon returned this day from New Providence with the Transports; and I had the pleasure to find by Captain Linzee the Inhabitants are determined to defend themselves against the Rebels and to approve themselves good Subjects to his Majesty. Governor [Montfort] Browne was absent, but Captain Linzee having received a Letter from the President of the Counsil (a Copy of which is inclosed)² he came away.

I have stationed the Falcon to the Southward of Boston; and the Nautilus, while she remains here, guards the Mouth of Winnisimmet River.

The Swan arrived from Rhode Island with two Transports having on board live Cattle, Poultry, Wood &c for the Fleet. On the 22d the Charlotte Sloop also returned from New York and Rhode Island with Letters from Captains Vandeput and Wallace; The former having detained an Inhabitant of New York upon an accusation of being concerned in burning the Asia's Barge; Many Affidavits transmitted to me proving I think beyond a Doubt the accused Person was not present at the time nor any ways aiding or assisting, And Application being also made by the Recorder and Aldermen of the City for the mans Release assuring Captain Vandeput he was a peaceable disposed Citizen, I have ordered him to be set at Liberty, but an Ensign in the Connecticut Militia, likewise a Prisoner on board the Asia, I have directed to be detained and carried to England; considering him as an Officer although of low rank, in Arms against his Sovereign. I send Copies of Captain Vandeputs Letter and the inclosure therein mentioned for your further Information.

Captain Vandeput also writes in a Letter, dated October the 9, that so far from withholding provisions from the Ship in Consequence of his firing upon the Battery he had lately compleated to four months, and that they were regularly supplied with fresh Beef; That [Isaac] Sears has sold his house and removed his Effects to Connecticut, And that the Delegates and Rebel Officers, fearing to be seized, pass the River at a considerable distance from the Town. I inclose an Extract from Captain Vandeputs Letter containing further Intelligence.

When I sent the Transports to Captain Wallace, which returned with the Swan, I directed him to fill them with live Cattle, Hay, Wood, Vegetables &c for the Fleet; to take those things by force from the Rebels, but to pay for them to Friends of Government. I have great pleasure in transmitting to you the inclosed account Captain Wallace has sent me of his Proceedings on this occasion as it does him Honour, and will I hope afford their Lordships very satisfactory Intelligence of our Situation at Rhode Island.

A few Days since I sent two Transports to Halifax to be laden with essence of Spruce and Wood for the Fleet, and being well assured that after the Middle of November Halifax had nothing to apprehend from the Rebels until April next; I sent Orders for the Somerset to sail for Plymouth as soon as Commissioner Arbuthnot or any of his Majesty's Frigates arrived at Halifax.

I have directed a Transport to take on board a proportion of Provisions sufficient to last the Rose, Glasgow, Swan and Bolton until the end of March next, with a Quantity of Stores of all kinds and Slops. I have compleated the Swan, and shall send an account of the whole to Captain Wallace to be distributed as he shall think proper among his Majesty's Ships and Vessels under his Command. And I shall send this Transport under Convoy of the Swan, who is to remain at Rhode Island until I can relieve her with some of the Ships expected from England.

I have not heard from Virginia or the Carolinas since my last Letters, but am in hourly expectation of the Tamer and Cruizers Arrival. It is reported Captain Tollemache has been at Bermudas with the Transport sent to bring the Ordnance from Fort Johnson, but as he sailed from hence the latter end of August I cannot think the Report is true, unless any Accident has befallen either of the Vessels.³ I am &c