My Lord,

Having it in Command from the Lords Commissioners of the Ad­ miralty to inform them of the misbehavior. of any of the Transports under my Convoy, I think it my duty to inform your Lordship of the behaviour of the Brig Favorite, who on the 22nd of April in Latitude 49°:02' North, Longitude made from the Lizard 11°:28' West parted Company with me; I have every reason to suppose intentionally. At 5 AM the 22d of April, the Brig Favorite was upon the Lee Bow about four or five miles. The St Albans having lost her Main-Topmast, at ½ past 2 AM lay too from that time until 11 AM, when she made Sail for two hours in order to lead the Convoy, going two Knots per Hour. She then lay too again until 6 PM of the 23d At 11 AM of the 22d the Favorite tacked being ahead and to leeward, in order as I thought to fetch into the Wake of the St Albans. It was hazy Weather, and I believe she took that opportunity of leaving me, as the last I saw of her was at 5 AM she not having tacked again; it was then quite thick and hazy weather. The first time Captain [Christopher] Mason of His Majesty's Sloop Dispatchcame onboard after the Favorite had lost Company, he observed to me that she certainly did it intentionally, as some nights. prior he observed the Favorite make Sail and endeavor to go out of the Convoy, when he chased him w[ith] a pressed Sail, fired three Shot, and brought him back, — which fully convinced me of his intention to part Company.

With respect to the Dispatch Sloop, and three of the Convoy parting Company on the [28th] of May, I can assign no reason. At 9 PM the Dispatch and Convoy were close up, it was a very unsettled Night, with much Rain and very dark, sometimes a fresh of Wind, at other times Calm. At ½ past 4 AM I saw only three Sail. At 6 AM a heavy Gale of Wind came on at North East. I kept my Course under a very easy Sail in hopes of their joining me. At 2 PM of the 29th of May, one of the Convoy made the Signal to speak to me, I brought too. immediately and lay too until 6 AM when I made Sail again. Some days afterwards the Master [of] the Transport who made the Signal to speak with me, —informed me he saw two Sail to the Southward the Morning of the Gale of Wind.

Your Lordship will judge of the inattention of the Convoy in general, from the frequent occasions I had of making the Signal for them to come under my Stern, and my firing Shot at them to oblige them to keep their Stations mentioned in my Journal. I am My Lord [&c.]

(A Copy.)

[Endorsed] Copy 1 In Lord Howes Lre No 33.