Sir.

I am now to desire you will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the 18th June I received the inclosed Letter marked No 1, from the Master Shipwright of His Majesty's Yard here; Complaining of the great defects discovered by him in Searching his Majesty's Ship Argo, on which I immediately Ordered a careful and Exact Survey to be taken on the defects complained of on board said Ship; and now inclose for their Lordships information, the Report thereof marked No. 2.

I am of Opinion the Repairs necessary to be done to the Argo, to make her fit for Service or to be hove down, would not only be a very great Expence to Government; but also employ all the Artificers of the Yard for a great length of time, and prevent the other Ships of the Squadron being hove down or receiving such other necessary repairs as they may want, I have therefore determined to send His Majesty's Ship Argo to England with the next Convoy which will sail from hence, on or before the 1st day of August next, and I flatter myself their Lordships will approve of my doing so, and likewise on duly Considering the representations I made them in my dispatch of the 7th April last, they will also be pleased to send out Speedily a Considerable Reinforcement of Ships to this Station. The expectation of American Cruizers coming into these Seas is now general. I have therefore Ordered Captain Bryne of His Majesty's Ship Hind to Convoy the Trade that Sails from hence the 7th Instant Considerably farther than their Lordships directed me by Letter of the 20th February last, Copy of Captain Brynes Orders are also inclosed and marked No 3 ー

The other Papers marked No. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. are Copies of a General Order, I found it necessary to give to the King's Ships under my Command, a List of Prizes taken since the 1st June last, List of the Appointment and Removal of Officers in the Squadron between the 1st April and 30th June 1776. The State and Condition and Disposition of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels under my Command, which you will likewise be pleased to Communicate to their Lordships. I am Sir [&c.]