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Sir, In addition to the various matters wherewith I troubled their Lord ships by the Kent, I in justice, as it does the Subscribers thereof so much honor, herewith send you by the Ostenbotten (a Swede) the Copy of a Declaration made by the Masters of the Transports, which are below the Rapids, at parting with their Longboats. I moreover thereby intend that their Lordships may be pleased to cause immediate Orders to be taken with their Owners for providing others for them (shou'd their further Service be wanting) previous to their arrival in England, which may be shortly looked for, as they are all to sail for Spithead (some 3 or 4 excepted) when their Men who are Navigating the said Longboats with the pieces of the Ship frame to Chambly, are returned, every one being left at full liberty, I cou'd not prevail on all their Carpenters to stay at St Johns, until the reconstruction of the three Hulls shall be completed, however many of them do stay behind I hope the Masters of the Transports at Sorel & Champlain will follow the laudable Patriotic Example set them here; And for that purpose, I send Copies of the declaration in question to be communicated to them ー As also to be communicated to their Carpenters, the conditions made in their favor, which are very advantageous & one of which is, that I engage to furnish a well Conditioned Transport for their conveyance to Spithead, whensoever the Works they are, or are to be employed upon are finished, which it is hoped will be over at furthest in about 5 or 6 Weeks hence.

All those Transports above the Rapids shall also depart for England (some 4 or 5 excepted) how soon the matters are settled, with regard to their Carpenters & Longboats (become of very great consequence to His Majts Service) which will require some time. I humbly beg leave to suggest the expediency of having the wants of the Transports returning without Longboats, & Carpenters respectively attended to, on their arrival at Spithead.

The Example of Mr Brook Watson (a Gentn of London &: of most extensive concerns in this Province) & of Mr Harris Hatch, Commander of the Speke Hospital Ship, were of singular Service on this occasion, the former having unasked Ordered the Master of His own Merchant Ship (the Canadian) to give up his Longboat to serve on Lake Champlain: And the latter having in a way much to his own honour stood in the foremost of those who Command the Hired Ships, now in this Bason, involuntarily making the subscribed Cession, but Mr John Elliott Master of the Kent, tho' as willing to part with that Ships Longboat as possible, or as any of the other Masters have been to part with theirs, having obtained as Order from me, merely as he said for forms sake to deliver her up, did without my knowledge (until he was Sailed) clandestinely enter a protest against me for detaining her, which protest was executed full three Days previous to his departure, preparatory to which, Men belonging to His Majesty's Ships were employed in helping them ー Had I known it, most certainly his Longboat (every body else being at liberty) should have been forced back upon him.

This second New Vessel to be reconstructed at St Johns, is to be lengthened, whereby she will draw much less Water (to about 8 or Nine feet), than otherwise ー A Keel piece ready formed is gone up for that purpose Besides 16 Twelves, she is to carry 2-9 Pounders. I am &c