Sir,

On the arrival of Lord Howe at this place a few days ago, I was not a little surprized to find that on His Lordship's calling off Halifax, He was informed by Commissioner Arbuthnot that there was no intimation left with him to what place His Majesty's Squadron under my Command and the Transports under my Convoy had proceeded, This indeed, if Fact, would have been a very gross and un-Officer-like Omission, of which I think it my duty to acquit myself, by sending you herewith a Copy of a Letter I wrote to, and left with the Commissioner a few days before my Departure from Halifax, which was delivered to him by my Secretary, which he acknowledged the receipt of,² but which in the Multiplicity of Business he is Engaged in, in his several Departments, I presume he must have forgot or mislaid, and therefore beg you will please to communicate it to their Lordships for my Justification. I am Sir [&c.]