My Lord

I have the Honor to acquaint you that I left my Government¹ the 31^st of October, that every thing was very quiet, nor did I hear of any Privateers being on the Banks for near three Weeks before I sail'd

The Merchants suffered greatly in the first part of the Season by having many of their Bankers Plundered, and several taken away, the latter part of the season they have been much more successfull then they expected, and I believe their greatest distress is a want of Ships to carry their Fish, and Oil to market. from which large quantitys of both must remain in the Country until next Year

I am sorry it is not in my power to transmit your Lordship a State of the Fishery this Year, being obliged to keep the Men of War constantly Cruising on the Banks, which has prevented their going to collect the particulars in the several Harbours as usual.

The Fort on the South-Head at the Enterance of the Harbour² is completed, and ready for the Guns, which I expected, and was given to understand, was to be out this Year. for the want of which it remains useless, and may easily be destroyed by a Privateer for want of Guns, and Men. as both the Company of Royal Highland Emigrants, and the Company of Invalid Artillery Men, are mostly Old, and infirm, and not fit for Duty in so Cold a Climate as Newfoundland.

I beg leave to inclose to your Lordship the proceedings of the Court of Oyer, and Terminer, held at Saint Johns in October last,³ and am [&c.]