Gentlemen

When I put to Sea the 17th Febry from Cape Henlopen we had many Sick, and four of the Vessels had a large number onboard with the Small Pox The Hornet & Wasp join'd me two days before the Wind came at NE which made it unsafe to lye there ー the Wind after he got out came on to blow hard ー I did not think we were in a Condition to keep on a Cold Coast and appointed our Rendezvous at Abacco one of the Bahama Islands ー The second night we lost the Hornet & Fly

I arrived at the Rendezvous in order to wait for the Fleet fourteen days agreeable to Orders ー I then formed an Expedition against New Providence which I put in Execution the 3rd March by landing two hundred Marines under the Command of Captn [Samuel] Nicholas, and 50 Sailors under the Command of Lieutt [Thomas] Weaver, of the Cabot who was well acquainted there ー The same day they took Possession of a small Fort of Seventeen Pieces Cannon without any Opposition safe five Guns which were fired at them without doing any damage ー I received that Evening an Account that they had two hundred and odd Men in the Main Fort all Inhabitants ー I then caused a Manifesto to be published the Purport of which was (that the Inhabitants and their Property should be safe if they did not oppose me in taking possession of the Fort and Kings Stores) which had the desired effect for the Inhabitants left the Fort almost alone ー Captn Nicholas sent by my Orders to the Governor for the Keys of the Fort which was delivered and the Troops march'd directly in where we found the several Warlike Stores agreeable to the Inventory inclosed, but the Governor sent 150 barrels Powder off in a Small Sloop the night before ー I have all the Stores onboard the Fleet and a large Sloop that I found there which I have promis'd the owner to send back and pay him hire for ー The Fly joind us at [New] Providence and gave an Account that he got foul of the Hornet and carried away her Boom and head of her Mast and I hear since she has got into some port of South Carolina ー I have taken the Governor Montfort, Browne, the Lieutt Governor who is a half pay Officer and Mr Thomas Erwin who is a Counsellor & Collector of his Majestys Quit Rents in South Carolina and it appears by the Court Callendar that he is also Inspector General of his Majestys Customs for North America

Since he came out, we have lost Company with the Wasp The 4th Instant we fell in with the East End of Long Island and took the Schooner commanded by Young Wallace of Six Carriage Guns & eight Swivels & the 5th took the Bomb Brig [Bolton] of eight guns and two Howitzers & 48 hands ー well found with all sorts of Stores, Arms, Powder, &c-the 6th in the Morning we fell in with the Glascow and her Tender and engaged her near three hours ー We lost six men killed and as many Wounded - The Cabot four Men killed and Seven Wounded the Captain is among the latter -the Columbus had one Man lost his Arm. We receiv'd considerable damage in our Ship but the greatest was in having our Wheel Rope & blocks shot away which gave the Glascow time to make Sail I did not think proper to follow as it would have brought on an Action with the whole of their Fleet and as I had upwards of thirty of our best Seamen onboard the Prizes, and some that were onboard had got too much Liquor out of the Prizes to be fit for Duty thought it most prudent to give over Chace and secure our Prizes ー & got nothing but the Glascow's Tender and arrived here the 7th with all the Fleet ー Amongst the dead are Mr Sinclair Seymour Master of the Cabot a good officer. Lieutt [James Hood] Wilson of the Cabot & Lieut [John] Fitzpatrick of the Alfred. The Officers all behaved well onboard the Alfred, but too much Praise cannot be given to the Officers of the Cabot who gave and Sustain'd the whole Fire for some considerable time within pistol Shot

I expect to leave this place in three or four days & as General Washington is expected here every minute if he will give me leave to inlist some of his Men, shall be able to get away soon

I hear that since the Action the Fleet is gone from Newport but whether they intend to return again I cannot tell but if I can get the Fleet well Manned shall be able to give a more Intelligent account I have now on board 80 Pieces of heavy Sail Duck which I purchased at New Providence and have drawn Bills on the Treasurer for I am [&c.] Esek Hopkins Ship Alfred New London Harbour April 9th 1776