N^o. 13
Sir, 

By the Ariadne, which sailed hence with the Ceres the 23^d. of last month to convoy the homeward-bound Trade from this Island to S^t. Christopher’s to join the General Convoy ordered by Admiral Young to proceed from thence the 1^st. instant under the protection of the Dealcastle and Beaver, I forwarded to you an Account of my proceedings to the 20^th. (N^o. 12.).¹

You will now be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Snake Sloop arrived here the 29^th. past, with a Letter from Admiral Young informing me of his intention to proceed immediately to England,² leaving under my command His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels named in the Margin;³ several of which their Lordships will see by the enclosed Dispostion of the Squadron have not yet joined me.⁴

The 30^th. I dispatched the Boyne⁵ to Dominica to complete her wood, there being only seven days firing on board her and no supply to be procured at this place, and the Snake to English Harbour to get new Awnings and Cables in lieu of those onboard her, which, upon being surveyed, were found totally unfit for Service; And I was rejoind by the former the 12^th. instant and by the Snake yesterday, which latter I purpose sending to Tobago to replace the Aurora for the present.

Yesterday also I was joined by the Favorite; and the 10^th. instant three Treasury Victuallers (called the British King, the General Conway, and the Swan) arrived here with Provisions for the use of His Majesty’s Troops in the Leeward Islands.⁶

Having agreed for the purchase of a Brig of 130 Tons⁷ and twelve Carriage Guns four Pounders, I have commissioned her, in consequence of their Lordships order of the 4^th. of June,⁸ to be employed as a Sloop in His Majesty’s Service by the name of the Barbadoes, with a Complement of ninety Men, and appointed Lieutenant Sir George Home of the Prince of Wales⁹ to be the master and Commander of her; And as she was built at Bermudas, is in very good repair, and so well fitted and furnished with Stores that there is no immediate necessity for her being supplied with any thing material except Provisions, I flatter myself their Lordships will not think her dear at £2250, which was the lowest price I could possibly get her for, the owners having at first demanded £2700, and I shall value the Commissioners of the Navy for her Amount and transmit to them the particulars of her Furniture and Stores as soon as the Surveys are completed. She is getting ready for the Sea with all possible dispatch, and, as there is no absolute occasion for her going to Antigua at present, I intend discharging into her from the Prince of Wales as many Men as with her Officers will make up fifty, and sending her to Tobago to assist in the protection of that Island; hoping that the Merchants and Proprietors will, in consideration of their request having been so soon complied with, use their influence to complete her Complement.¹⁰

An Account of the State and Condition of His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels now with me is also herewith enclosed for their Lordships information.¹¹ I am Sir, [&c.]