Sir,

I am to inform you that pursuant to their Lordships directions to me, I have Ordered the Nautilus to Bermuda for the protection of His Majesty's Stores on that Island. The Saint-John Armed Schooner has been for a considerable time at the Island of [New] Providence, but as I am informed by Lieutenant [William] Grant who Commands her, that she is very much out of repair and in want of Stores, I intend to relieve him as soon as it is in my power; But as the safeguard and protection of the Store Ships and Victuallers which are hourly and impatiently expected upon the Coast, is an object of so great importance, it is impossible for me at present to dispense with the want of any one of the few Cruizers I have for that purpose; and I must further add that the Milford is the only Ship which has joined me from England since this Command has devolved upon me, except the Orpheus which I found here, and not yet ready for Sea, so that I have not Ships to appropriate to the various Services that demand my attention. Captain [Francis] Banks in the Renown remains in Nantasket Road, and has the Command of the Cruizers in Boston Bay, to intercept and send to this place the Ships with the Supplies ordered to Boston, and which will consequently be igno~ rant of the removal of the Fleet and Army. You having by your Letter of the 11th November communicated to me their Lordships desire that I should send a Reinforcement to Sir Peter Parker; in answer thereto I am to acquaint you, the Experiment which you mention, having been drove to the West Indies is not yet Arrived, but is daily expected, and I have left with Captain Banks Orders for her to proceed immediately on her Arrival upon that Service, and it is my intention agre able to their Lordship's recommendation, to send another Ship to him as soon as the Arrival of the Victuallers and Storeships will permit me to alter the present disposition of the Squadron.

Mr [George] Jackson by his Letter of the 8th January informing me of several American Armed Vessels Cruizing in the Bay of Canso, and one in the Gulph of St Lawrence, I have to acquaint you that I have not as yet been able to send a Ship to either of these places, but I intend the Orpheus for that Service, the moment she can be got ready, and I mean to send another as soon as it may be in my power.

Their Lordships will observe by the State and Condition of the several Ships sent herewith, how much short of Complement some of them are; and they will be pleased to consider the impossibility of Supplying in this Country the losses Sustained by Deaths and Desertion, the total cessation of commerce, rendering Press Warrants very ineffectual for that purpose. I am [&c.]

M: Shuldham

[Endorsed] 16 Apl 1776 Halifax V.A. Shuldham R 6 June