[Admiralty Office] 8th Janry 1776.
Sir,
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were pleased in a Letter from Mr. Stephens dated the 11th of Novemr last, which was forwarded by the Triton, to acquaint you that His Majesty had judged it expedient that a Body of Land Forces supported by a Squadron of Ships of War under the command of Sir Peter Parker should be sent to North or South Carolina with a view to the Objects mentioned in the said Letter.
The Triton sailed from Plymouth on the 21st of Novemr, but on the 14th of last Month had the misfortune of losing all her Masts in a hard gale of Wind, which has obliged her to return to Plymouth and now lays their Lordships under the disagreable circumstance of transmitting their aforementioned information in this Letter by the Milford, whose sailing at this time may probably occasion the Reinforcement you are therein directed to send to assist the Operations of Sir Peter Parker's Squadron to arrive later than was expected; but it is from that reason more strongly recommended by their Lordships that upon the Milford's arrival you give such immediate Orders with respect to such Reinforcement as you conceive will be most effectual to his Majesty's Service.
The Instructions given to Sir Peter Parker being drawn conformable to what is mentioned in Mr Stephens's aforementioned Letter, I have only to trouble you further on this Subject with observing that the Boreas which was intended to have made part of his Squadron, in turning from Spithead unfortunately got on the Dean Sand and received such damages as made it expedient to order the Active to proceed in her room. ー That the Deal castle another of his Squadron has likewise had the misfortune to lose her Masts, but it is expected she may be refitted so as to arrive on her Station by the time or soon after Sir Peter shall get there. That their Lordships instead of ordering the Hawke as mentioned to you in Mr Stephens's Letter to join the Squadron at Jamaica, have directed Sir Peter to continue her as one of the Vessels under his Command; And that an addition is made thereto of the Carcass Bomb and the Friendship a hired Vessel of 489 Tons to serve occasionally as a Transport or Armed Vessel, for which last mentioned purpose she is provided with Eighteen Nine Pounders & Six Six. Pounders and a proper proportion of Ordnance Stores.
The severity of the Weather which there has been of late has prevented the Ships employed on this Expedition assembling at Corke so early as was expected; the Ships of War are now on their passage thither, and my Lords have confidence that no time will be lost in embarking the Troops and putting to Sea the first favorable opportunity that may afterwards offer. I am &ca.