Chatham Halifax Harbour 20th May 1776.
Sir
I am to inform you of the arrival of His Majesty's Ship Greyhound at this place the 16th instant, and also of the whole of her Convoy except the Hope, laden with Gunpowder and Ordnance Stores, which Ship I am sorry to acquaint you seperated from the Greyhound the 10th in a very thick fog, and has riot since been heard of; but as I am acquainted by Captain [Archibald] Dickson that he having before his departure from England received an anonymous Letter which intimated that the Master of that Ship was disaffectedly inclined, and that he on that account had put a Petty Officer and two Men on board her giving directions to the Officer "to attend very particularly to the conduct of the Master, and if he suspected him of any design to seperate from the Convoy, or to put the Ship in the way of being taken by the Rebel Privateers to confine him, and take the Command of her, and offer a handsome reward to the Seamen on board for their Assistance, if it should be necessary; "and as in my disposition of the Cruizers, I have taken every precaution for the protection of such Vessels as may come upon the Coast, and particularly those that may be Ordered to Boston, I hope she will be met with by some of His Majesty's Ships
Captain Dickson delivered to me the following Orders and Letters, which shall be duly attended to.
Orders.
To increase the Complements of the Ships as therein mentioned.
To put the Hope on the establishment of a Sloop.
To take Captain Dickson in the Greyhound under my Command.
Letters.
Mr [George] Jackson's inclosing Commissions for two first Lieutenants of Marines.
Do acquainting me of my being promoted to Vice of the Blue.
Mr Jackson's to acquaint me of a Subaltern and twenty three Marines being sent in the Greyhound to be distributed to the Ships short of complement, and of their Lordships intention to send out Marines in future for that purpose in Vessels laden with Supplies. I am Sir [&c.]
