N London April 8. 1776 P.M. 2 Clock.
May it please Your Excelencey
Commodore Hopkins with the Fleet & Prizes, came this morning into this Harbour, and waiting on him, aboard the Alfred, he desired me to write Your Excelencey, & ask the favour that he might enlist out of Your Troops, 150 or 200 Seamen, and if not that number of Seamen to be had, compleat the number with Landsmen, To Man The Fleet; as he is badly Maned, and more than 50 Invalidsー
As to the Number of Ships in the Fleet, & Prises, & the late Engagement, I must beg leave to refer Your Excellencey to the bearer Mr James Price, who has been on board the Comodore & can Viva Voce, give you a fuller Accot than I can now write
The Comodore has brought his Excellencey Montford Browne Esqr Govr of New Providence, Thomas Erwin Esqr a Gentleman of the Council for South Carolina, & Receiver of the Kings quit Rents [James] Bavage Esqr
Secretary of New Providence & ½ pay Officer, who are on their Parole of Honour on Shore & about 70 Prisoners ー I am Yr Excellenceys [&:c.] G Saltonstall
[E]nclosd You have Inventory of Stores taken at New Providence
