Sir
Please to acquaint their Lordships of my arrival at Cape Fear, in His Majesty's Ship Syren under my Command on the 3d Inst after a very disagreable passage of seven Weeks and four days from Plymouth sound, and that Evening sent the Dispatches to Governor [Josiah] Martin by the hands of Captain Perry [Francis Parry] of His Majesty's Sloop Cruizer, the Governor being on board the Scorpion, and as it would be a few days, before I should be able to procure the Pilots, thought it most prudent to run the Ship in over the Barr for her more security, as the road is very dangerous Lying in Winter season it being quite open to the Southward and Easterly winds which thro' in such a swell as would render it impossible for Anchors to hold, having had several heavy Gales from that Quarter since we have been on this Coast. ー We had not less than 16 feet of Water on the Barr and then not high Water. ー On my Waiting on the Governor I received a Letter from him desiring a small supply of Powder and Musquet Ball, which request I have Comply'd with, taking care to keep a sufficient Quantity for the Use of His Majesty's Ship Syren; ー And in Consequence of a Letter from Captain Parry wherein he acquaints me he had no Boat on board that was fit for service, have supplied him with the Extra I reced at Chatham, which I hope will meet with their Lordships aprobation, since which I have been detained by contrary Winds, but now am under sail for South Carolina. ー I am Sir [&c.] I am Sir [&c.]
Syren Cape Fear Jany 10th 1776:
[Endorsed] 29 Mar [1776] own rect & approve