Duplicate.

Sir, I am to acquaint you that the Canceaux arrived here Yesterday and that I have received the following Orders and Letters, with the Several papers referred to in them, and Also duplicates of other Letters and Orders, which have been received before and Acknowledged.

Orders

April 18th 1776. To send the Fowey to Newfoundland and to deliver a Pacquet inclosed to Captain [George] Montagu.

4th ー To Purchase a Ship at Boston called the Britania, and to Establish her as a Sloop by the Name of the Albany, to appoint Lieutenant [Henry] Mowat to Command her, and to put a Lieutenant to Command the Canceaux.

12th That the Marines sent from the Ships to the Battalions should be discharged by Pay List.

18th ー To take Lieutenant Mowat in the Canceaux under my Command ー

Letters

18th Enclosing to me Lists of the Several Vessels sent under the different Convoys to America &ca

19th Relative to Cruizers being sent off Bermuda for the Protection of the homeward bound West India Trade.

Respecting the Orders, I must inform you that the Ship Lady Gage, which by my Letter of the 20th May, I acquainted you I intended to purchase in lieu of the Britannia (which Ship was destroyed at Boston at the Evacuation of that place,) was upon being Surveyed by the proper Officers found insufficient for the Metal sent out in the Canceaux; I have therefore purchased another ship every way suitable to their Lordships intentions, and have taken the Necessary measures for Establishing her as Sloop by the Name of the Albany, agreeable to their Lordships Commands, and shall cause her to be got ready for Sea as fast as possible.

The Fowey is now in the River Delaware under Captain Hammond, but I shall lose no time in ordering her to Newfoundland.

With reference to your Letter of the 18th of April, I am to Inform you that I have been acquainted by Captain [Ceorge] Talbot of the Niger, (which Ship arrived here Yesterday and brought me the News of the happy Situation of His Majesty's Affairs in Canada) that the Juno and Blonde with the Transports under their Convoy were as far up the River Saint Lawrence as Cape Chat on the 21st May, and that the Convoy under the Carysfort and Pearl were then in the Gulph.

Their Lordships may be assured I shall Continue to dispose of the Ships under my Command, that the Rebels may be as far as possible prevented from holding any intercourse with foreign parts, and that the Utmost vigilance has been Used by his Majesty's Cruizers to hinder their obtaining the Supplies, which from the very great extent of Coast I have to Guard, have unluckily fallen into their hands.

I shall at every opportunity make known, according to their Lordships directions, the Reward intended to be given to the Mate and Seamen bf the Ship from Philadelphia (which you inform me has been carried into Bristol by them,)² and I flatter myself the Encouragement these Men have met with for their Loyalty and attachment to their Country, will induce others to follow their Example.

In answer to your Letter of the 19th April signifying their directions that I should send occasional Cruizers off the Bermuda Islands for the Protection of the West India Trade, you will please to Acquaint their Lordships I shall pay all the Attention in my power to that Service, but they will be pleased to observe that notwithstanding the number of ships that have sailed from England for this Country, I have been joined by no more than the Milford, which I cannot remove from Boston Bay, the Greyhound is now here, and which I must detain to assist in Convoying the Transports with the Troops and other ships from hence, which are expected to move in a few days, and the Canceaux that arrived here but yesterday which I intend to send express to Quebec in a few days with the General's and my Dispatches, I will however as soon as it is possible Comply with their Lordships requisition on that head. I am Sir [&c.]