My Lord—

I hope your Lordship has received my letter of the 25th of August acknowledg­ing the honour of yours of the 27th of June. I now have the pleasure to acquaint you that the dispute between me and the owners of the privateer is, by the assistance of the general, settled without any more expense to us: those who had taken prizes pay­ ing the damages I was cast for to the owners of the Hammond, who had not taken any; and entirely quashing the verdict obtained against Captain Dumaresq, that being so scandalous a proceeding I would not admit of any compromise.

Since my last, nothing material has happened to acquaint your Lordship with, only that within this month the French have sent out a 64-gun ship and 5 large frigates. They say it is to protect their trade from insult. They did not arrive all together, but one or two at a time. They have also a great many troops in their islands, it is said ten thousand. They cruise about as our cruisers, and they sometimes meet. Whether they would take upon them to protect any rebel vessels we might fall in with in their sight, is uncertain; but it is not unlikely such a thing may happen, as now begins the time of year they will push out. When the weather is so bad on their coast, our ships can't keep the sea; if the French should, it might bring on disagreeable consequences, as at present they may be troublesome, though it is now said one or two of the frigates are gone to St Domingo as well as a large ship or two. I hope, if known in England they collect ships in this manner, some more will come here.

I took the liberty in my last to your Lordship to request relief early in the year, and to leave the station in May; for three years in this climate is full long enough, es­pecially when forced in order to carry on the service to be confined to this island. I now beg leave to renew my request, as also permission to give my son post; Captain Dumaresq, as I got it for him, being very willing to give up the Portland when ordered home. I am [&c.]