Sir

Please to acquaint their Lordships, that I arrived here yesterday evening in His Majesty's Ship Bristol ー The 31st past, finding that I greatly outsail'd the Deal Castle & Thunder Bomb, I determin'd to make the best of my way, and accordingly parted Company with them that evening, and ordered the Actaeon to proceed to Falmouth, to take in the American Prisoners, in case the Solebay had not been there ー I found in this Port all the Transports under the direction of the Lieuts [Thomas] Tonkin & [John] Knowles, excepting the Marquis of Rockingham, the loss of which Ship their Lordships have already been made acquainted with ー All the Army Victuallers are here, excepting the Nancy, Jno Pearson Master, who is expected every day ー Not one of my Squadron, the Bombs Tenders, Ordnance Ships, Sibella Storeship, Levant Victualler, Pigot Hospital Ship, or Friendship Arm'd Ship, are as yet arriv'd; but I hope in a few days we shall be all assembled, or at least, as many as will enable me to proceed on the Expedition ー When we have got as many together as will be absolutely necessary, I shall leave a Frigate to wait for, and bring the remainder after me. All the Troops are embark'd excepting three Companys of the 15th Regiment, which the Clibborn (taken up in the room of the Marquis of Rockingham) will be ready to receive tomorrow. I am Sir[&c.]