[Extract]
Sir: I received your Favours of the 20th. and 23rd. Ulto. and am happy to hear of the further Success of our armed Vessels in the Capture of the Transport with the Highland Grenadiers. If they have been fortunate enough to take the 11 Ships mentioned in your last, I suppose we are in Possession of a large Share of the Highlanders ordered against us.
A Fleet has arrived at the Hook, which we suppose to be General Howe's, having received authentic Intelligence of his sailing from Hallifax on the 9th Ulto., with 132 Sail. One Hundred and ten came in on Saturday, more were in the Offing and a few had got in two or three Days before. We expect he will make an Attack, as soon as possible, and I am making every Preparation to receive him.
As we are extremely deficient in Arms here, and in great Distress for Want of them; I shall be glad if you will send all of those taken from the Highlanders, which you conceive can be possibly spared. Let them be sent immediately to Norwich, to the Persons there who were entrusted with the others, with Directions to forward them without Delay by Water, if there shall be no Risk; if there is, by Land.
