[Extract]
My Lord

I was Honoured with Your Lordships Letters by the Otter Yesterday, and sent Her of Smiths Island, and directed Captain Howe to join Me, and by his representation of the State his Ship is in,² I am under the disagreeable necessity of sending Her away. His own Ill state of health, his second Lieut being absent, twenty Men at the Hospital, Forty Nine Sick on board, Seventeen short of Complement, (and having Buried sixteen since he left New York, twelve now in a dying state,) and Eleven Absent in Prizes; fear if she stayed longer, Her situation with regard to Her Men, would be irrecoverable, as I am informd there are many on board, not in the Sick List, with stiff Joints and swelled Limbs, which induces me to take the step I have done with great reluctance.

Her appearance, is far beyond Her Service.

Captain Squires informed me, five Frigates went into New York, as he left it, therefore am in hopes, one May be spared to reinforce this Place.

. . . Since my last this Ship has taken three Prizes. . . .