(No 5)

Sir, I must again beg leave to renew my Application to their Lordships to send out some Ships to reinforce the Squadron under my Command, as with the few now here, it is impossible for me to tarry on the Kings Service in the manner I could wish, or effectually to put a stop to the Trade which the Americans carry on to the French, Dutch and Danish Islands; and prevent

the returns being made to them in Warlike Stores, for notwithstanding the

Assurances given me by the French Governors to the contrary, I am well

convinced by other authentic Information, it is done openly. ー The Powder

goes by small Quantities at a time, in such like Vessels as Virginia Pilot

Boats, that steal out in the night, and by fast Sailing escape our Cruizers.

have caused different Ports at the French and Dutch Islands to be as strictly Watched as the small number of Ships I have can do it, but there are so many places they can go to, and from, that it is impossible for me to Guard them all: The Squadron is now reduced to four Ships, one of which is the Hawke Sloop, which I mean to detain in the room of the Lynx, whose Guns I have given her for that purpose, 'tho am sorry to find She is in very little better Condition than the Lynx: She came out of England (exclusive of her accident) very badly repaired, and will take some time before she will be fit for Sea. The Hind is gone to St Augustine, with the three Companies of the 60th Regiment, and I do not expect her back these Two Months at soonest. The Portland (which.I have sent to Cruize at Sea, as much as the others), the Argo and the Pomona, are now fourteen Months foul; as soon as the Hawk is ready for Sea, I purpose trying to heave down the Argo, but am told by the Master Shipwright, and his Assistant, that it is very doubtful whether she will bear it; She came out of England so badly repaired, that at times her Deck has been almost shifted, and a Number of her Knees are broke. The other two Ships must clean when they can be spared.

The Prizes taken by the King's Ships under my Command, have been of great Service to these Islands by bringing in Supplys of Provisions to them, that were destined to other places (none can now be Shipped from America, to the English Islands, the Runners must therefore all be intended for the French, Dutch and Danish Islands), and had the Squadron employed in these Seas, consisted of a sufficient number of Ships, they would certainly have taken much greater number of American Vessels and thereby have prevented considerable Supply of Gunpowder being sent to the Rebels; whkh Article they pay for in Provisions &c at the enormous price of a Dollar pr pound. ー The French Governors complain about our Ships Cruizing off their Ports, and taking Supplies of Provisions &c coming to them; however I flatter myself, their Lordships will be of opinion that the strong necessity of the present times, makes this step absolutely necessary: The French have at present three Frigates of Thirty six Guns in these Seas, and between four & five Thousand Troops at the Islands Guadalupe, and Martinica.

I must also observe to their Lordships that there are great numbers of the disaffected Americans, in all the French, Dutch and Danish Islands, and even in our own Islands, from whence they can easily get away to the others; and it is believed here, they have on foot a design to Arm and fitt out Vessels from the Foreign Islands, (:where they can readily be supplied with what Stores are wanting for that purpose,) and Cruize for olir Trade in these Seas; which were they to do, would greatly distress the English Islands: The Planters and Traders here, are very apprehensive of this, and talk of applying to me for Convoy to their homeward bound Ships: this I am sure at present I cannot comply with, 'tho they assert they have intelligence from America, that Ships of Force are arming there, which are said to be intended to intercept the homeward bound West-India Ships both from these Islands and Jamaica (an account of this Intelligence I intend sending Rear Admiral Gayton by the first Packet that goes from hence to Jamaica,) as there may be some cause for their Fears. I hope their Lordships will take the matter into Consideration; and should they n.ot from better Intelligence discover their apprehensions to be wholly groundless; I flatter myself they will think it proper and necessary to send me out a strong reinforcement. There are at present no Vessels to be got here, that I could Arm so as to make them of any considerable Force, or otherwise would do it as I am confident the advantage would be very great to His Majesty's Service. The Sandwich a small Brigantine Tender I purchased some time ago for the use of the Squadron (of which I acquainted their Lordships pr Letter the 9th Decemr 1775) I have put four small Guns and some Swivells with about Twenty five Men into her; as she goes sometimes amongst the Islands, and She has taken three Prizes.

Zeal for His Majesty's Service, and an earnest desire to execute the trust reposed in me with Credit and Reputation, induces me to be so very pressing for a Reinforcement of Ships, and I have no doubt their Lordships will receive this dispatch with indulgence and approbation. I am Sir [&c.] Jam Young [Endorsed] Rd 30 May