[Extract]

Copy

Sir, I am Honoured with your Orders and Letter by the Nautilus of the 20th 22d & 23d Ulto for sending His Majesty's Ship Glasgow to the Southward, and the Bolton and Swan to Cruize on each side of St George's Bank, agreeable thereto, I immediately gave them their Orders, but still desired them not to seperate, 'till we had all got out of the Port, and executed a piece of Service I had in View ー The Bolton Brig, and the Armed Schooner belonging to us, was desired to Cruize off Block Island 'till joined by us ー The 5th Instant we got under way, and Turned out of the Port, but being apprehensive, some of our Sternmost Vessels would not be able to get out, Bore up, and Anchored again with the Squadron, except His Majesty's Ship Glasgow, who stood on, and about 3 O'Clock the next Morning (AM) fell in with the Enemy's Squadron, Commanded by Hopkins (lnclosed is Captain [Tyringham] Howe's Account of that Affair) 2 at 8, ditto she returned, firing of Guns ー Got under way turned out of the Port, and desired the Glasgow to follow as soon as possible ー Cruized about Block Island three or four days, Miss'd the Bolton and Schooner; from which imagine they have fell into the hands of the Enemy. ー The Glasgow having received so much damage in her Mast, and having thrown her Dispatches Overboard, thought it proper to send the Nautilus in her Stead, with what information I could give to His Majesty's Ships at York and Virginia ... I am [&c.]

Jas Wallace