Sir.

Herewith I transmit to you Copies of Two Letters I received since my last of the 26th past from Captain Parker at New York, and Captain Wallace at Rhode Island, with their Intelligence and information of the State of these Colonies; And I am now to inform you, Sir, that on the Morning of the 4th instant we observed that the Rebels had the preceding night taken post on the heights of Dorchester, and had thrown up so extensive and strong a Redoubt that it was supposed not less than Ten or Twelve thousand Men could have been employed in perfecting it in so short a time; This was so alarming and I presume unexpected an Event from the Advantageous situation of this Post, commanding the Town and Harbour of Boston, that General Howe Ordered an Attack to be made upon it that night, and Two thousand Troops were Embarked and in readiness for that Service, but the Wind blowing too fresh for the Boats to Row ahead the Expedition was laid aside, and the next day the 5th Orders were issued for the Army to prepare to embark with all the dispatch possible, which the very distress'd Condition it is in for want of Provision makes absolutely necessary, for 'till I gave Orders a few days ago for a Months Supply out of the Naval Stores, it had not then more than a sufficiency for Fourteen days, and except a Supply arrives very speedily for both Services, the Consequence must be fatal We are now using our utmost efforts and attention in Embarking the Ordance and other Stores, and preparing for Evacuating this Town and Harbour to proceed to Halifax, the nearest and most likely place of refuge for an Army under such necessitous and Singular Circumstances, where I shall Convoy it with part of His Majesty's Squadron under my Command, leaving all the Force I can spare for the protection of the Supplies intended for this place.

On the representation of General Howe of the small importance the Ships under Captain Wallace's Command are now at Rhode Island, and the very few I have to protect our Supplies from falling into the hands of the Rebels, especially on our leaving Boston, I have Ordered Captain Wallace to send two of them (the Swan and Bolton Armed Brig) to Cruize in the track of any Vessels bound here, and to see them in safety in their way to Halifax, The Glasgow I have Ordered to New York and from thence to the Southward with General Howe's and my Dispatches, and the Rose I have Ordered to Halifax to clean and refit.

I likewise herewith transmit to You Copy of a Letter from Captain [George] Talbot of the Niger, informing me of the loss of the Friendship Transport which General Howe had sent with his dispatches to New York, and on board which, on the Generals Application to me, I had Ordered a Petty Officer and Ten Men from the Chatham, and the same number from the Centurion, to assist the Master in the Navigation and defence of her upon that Service, all which I am sorry to acquaint you are become Prisoners to the Rebels, to whom they were obliged to fly and submit, to save their Lives when the Vessel was Wreck'd.

Captain Parker having acquainted me of the Death of Mr George Clephan Purser of the Asia on the 24th January last, I have Appointed Mr Edward Bragge my Secretary to Succeed him in that Employment, which I hope their Lordships will be pleased to confirm him in. I am Sir [&c.]