Number 2
Duplicate.

Sir By the Return of the Sandwich Packet, I have opportunity to inform You, in Addition to my Letter of the 23d of last Month (a Duplicate of which is herewith enclosed) that I was not able, from the State of the Weather, to get to this port until the 12th Instant. Joining the Fleet off of Staten Island the same Evening, I took the Command pursuant to their Lordships Instructions.

The Returns I have transmitted from Vice Admiral Shuldham, will shew the State and Disposition of the Ships of War at that time. I have had occasion to detain the Greyhound, King'sfisher, and Halifax, for this part of the American Service dependent on the Motions of the Army.

The Orpheus arrived Yesterday from her Station off the Delaware; with sixty three Prisoners taken in several Vessels Captain [Charles] Hudson met with coming out of that River, Some of which he had prudently destroyed not to weaken his Ships Company by further Drafts for the Care of them. It has been necessary to order that Ship and the Greyhound to the Eastward of this Port for securing the safe passage of the Transports with the Highland and Hessian Troops daily expected. And as I do not know any other particular concerning the Ships stationed to the Southward of this port beside the single Circumstance of their Destinations respectively stated in Vice Admiral Shuldhams Return, I am apprehensive the Delaware remains totally unguarded.

The Deficiency of Means to make proper appointments for restraining the Trade and intercepting the Armed Vessels fitting by the Rebels in different Ports, subsists equally with respect to the Northern Colonies. The Liverpool is the only Frigate I have been able to spare at this Time, to place off of Boston. For whilst this Province continues to be the Seat of War, and until the General shall have made some further Progress in his Military Operations, I have reason to think the assistance of every Ship which can be collected in Time, will be first wanted for this principal Service.

It is related by Persons compelled to seek Refuge in the Camp, that the Ships which passed New York the 12th, have been in a great measure able to cut off the Supplies sent down the North River to that Town. But no Information has yet been received from either of the Captains.

I have added hereto a Copy of the Declaration issued by the American Congress the 4th of this Month, and a New York Paper² containing the Constitution framed in Consequence, in the Provinces of Jersey and Virginia. Similar Establishments are said to have lately taken place in New York and Rhode Island.

A Report is circulated by the Rebels that the Squadron under Sir Peter Parker had failed in an Attempt upon Charles Town Harbor. The Action is pretended to have happened the 28th of last Month; But I have received no Account of it from Sir Peter Parker.

I am not able in the present State of Things here to submit any general plan to their Lordships Consideration, for the safe Conveyance of Supplies in the latter part of the Year for the Fleet and Army. It will always have a place amongst the first Objects of my Attention, though it must depend upon the successful Operations of the last. But their Lordships I hope will pardon the Liberty I take of suggesting, that no Expedient promises to be so advantageous for the purpose, as the Employment of Ships of great Burthen and considerable Force; whether intended for New York or Halifax. For the Protection of Convoy I conceive is not to be relied on in this precarious Navigation. I am Sir [&c.]