Sir,

I beg leave to acquaint their Lordships that herewith inclosed I send a duplicate of my last¹ by the Pallas, who sailed with the Convoy early in the Morning of the 27^th: Ult^o. since which time I have not heard from the Captain, but am Informed by a Gentleman from Bluefields that they did not reach that port untill the 7^th. Ins^t. after having been in a Violent Gale of wind, which has very much distressed many of the Convoy some of whom are returned dismasted to this Harbor & many are Cast away on the North side the Island;² The Racehorse who had under her Convoy several Ships, very narrowly escaped the same Fate owing to the Violence of the Storm and the exceeding bad Weather, she is however arrived, very much shatter'd by her late engagement, I have order'd her defects to be made good and the Sloop to be got ready for Sea as soon as possible

I am sorry to inform their Lordships that notwithstanding the Master Shipwrights utmost endeavours to make His Majesty's Brig Badger fit for Sea, he found it impracticable I therefore order'd her to be surveyed and she is reported to me unserviceable in consequence whereof I have thought proper to replace the said Brig by purchasing another, which I signified to their Lordships, was my intention in my last; I have called her the Badger and given the Command of her to the Acting Captain Michael John Everitt commander of the former Brig Badger which is condemned, and directed him to turn over all his Officers & Men: The Brig is capable of carrying 16 Carriage Guns, was the Rebel privateer that took Frazers Highlanders in the Nantasket Rode³ she is only 3 Years Old, very strong Built and her price £1540 Currency of this Island, which Sum I have ordered the Storekeeper to pay and draw Bills on the Navy Board for, I hope she will answer the purpose and that their Lordships will in this Instance approve of my Conduct; I have directed the Master Shipwright to fit her as an armed Vessel as fast as possible that she may proceed to Sea on Service.

I further beg leave to acquaint their Lordships that by a Letter from the Inhabitants of the Bay of Honduras (a Copy of which is enclosed)⁴ I am made acquainted that the Washington privateer has been there, since His Majesty's Sloop diligence, which is not long, and cut out three of their Vessels, for the particulars of which I beg leave to refer their Lordships to that Letter; and submit to their Consideration whether it may not be proper to have an armed Vessel constantly stationed on that Coast during this Rebellion, which can not be affected unless two Vessels are employed, one to relieve the other, as they can not procure any provisions there for their people

I also beg leave to acquaint their Lordships, that in my humble opinion there shou'd also be, two armed Vessels one to relieve the other constantly stationed at Turks Islands to prevent the Rebels having any intercourse with the Inhabitants of those Islands, as many of them pay no regard or obedience to the Kings Agent there or any other Officer but this I must likewise submit to their Lordships Consideration & superior Judgement.

As the Ostrich armed Ship is gone to England and as her return to this Station may be uncertain I think it Necessary to purchase an armed Vessel in her Room, which I intend to do and to give M^r. Jordan⁵ a Lieutenants Commission to command her, and as I advised their Lordships that I designed to reward him, in this manner, for his gallant behaviour, I hope it will meet their approbation.

I also beg leave to acquaint their Lordships, that the Daphne Capt^n. Chinnery, one of Lord Viscount Howes Squadron, arrived here the 8^th: Ins^t. from New York, in want new rigg^g. entirely except the standing & in want of a new suit Sails; The Pintles of her Rudder are defective, and she is in want of a great deal of Work to be done to fit her for Sea, all which I have ordered to be Inspected into and the Necessary repairs to be performed as soon as the Service will admit thereof.

Captain Chinnery brought under his Convoy a Ship Loaded with Provisions for the Government Service, and bound to Pensacola, which Ship he is directed to see safe into that Harbor; She having lost her Foremast in the late Gale of Wind I have directed a new One to be made for her, and I will take particular care that she shall be in such forwardness as not to detain the daphne when she may be ready to proceed to Sea & I shall order the StoreKeeper to take proper Bills from the Master for any expence of materials or Workmanship as may be necessary for her equipment

I likewise beg leave to hope that their Lordships will observe that in respect to my directions to order the Convoys, at this Season of the Year, to go through the Gulph, that had the Convoy (which sailed the 27^th: Ultimo) gone through the Windward passage, they wou'd have been a great way on their passage in the time they were going to Bluefields only, owing to the favorable Winds that prevail at this time of Year: This the Merchants and Planters of this Island are convinced of and regret that I am under directions to send the Convoys through the Gulph at this Season of the Year

The Squadron under my Comm^d. continue to be employed as when I wrote their Lordships last, except the following Ships, The Southampton and Lowestoffe are on a Cruize the Hornet is returned from Cape Francois and is ready to proceed again to Sea & I have order'd her and the diligence to proceed up the Southside of Hispaniola to meet the Convoy which is daily expected to arrive here. I am [&c.] 

Antelope port Royal Harbor
Jamaica 17^th: Nov^r: 1777