[Extract]
Commander in Chief

In my last letter of the 29th of April by the General Gage Sloop I had the Honor to acquaint Your Excellency that a few of the Transports had got into this River. ー and I am now to inform you of the Arrival of the greatest part of them with Lord [Charles] Cornwallis & Sir Peter Parker, who joined us on the 3d of this month ー Two more of the Transports are since arrived, and there are now missing five Transports, The Hawke Man of War, Two Bomb Vessels, an Ordnance Store Ship, and a Victualler ー

By Lord Cornwallis I received my dispatches from His Majestys Secretary of State a Copy of which is herewith inclosed.

Having previously considered the several objects pointed out by the former instructions from which these appear to differ but little in any essential points, I must beg leave to refer Your Excell. to my letter by the George, wherein I stated my Sentiments at large upon the Subject of what in my opinion might be undertaken with effect ー But as under the present instruction I am in hourly expectation of receiving your Commands to join you I shall attempt little more than putting the Troops on shore for a few days ー for though I am convinced that with a sufficient force operations of consequence might be carried on, I am equally of opinion that it is by no means adviseable to engage in such measures without giving them a fair and full Tryal, as a very ineffectual Attempt would only serve to throw Things into greater confusion and embarrassment.

It is now upwards of Three months since I have received any Letters from Your Excellency which leaves me in a state of total ignorance with respect to the operations carrying on in the Northern Colonies, and tho I might think myself justified by my instructions in joining you immediately, I conceive it upon the whole to be most adviseable to touch at Virginia, which I shall do as soon as the Fleet can be got in readiness for sailing, and there wait for your ultimate directions, unless I should hear from you before my departure.

Brigadr Genl [John] Vaughan has represented to me that the 46th Regt are much in want of their Clothing on board the Argo Transport which Vessel was blown off to the West Indies and is now supposed to be with you

[Endorsed] By The Mercury sailed Sunday 19th May