Number 3.
Sir,

By the Detention of the Sandwich Packet I am enabled to inform You of the Arrival of a great part of the dispersed Transports from the Clyde. Some of them had been separated early from the Flora in bad Weather by the Misconduct of the Masters, as Captain [John] Brisbane represents; And others, subsequent to his Arrival with them off of Boston, in the very foggy Weather he met with on his passage from thence.

The Brune separated from Commodore Hotham, and the Niger with the Light Horse from Halifax, are also arrived here.

On the 2d of this Month the Solebay, Thunder Bomb and Saint Laurence Schooner, with the Transports carrying the 15th, 28th, 33d, 37th, 46th, 54th, and part of the 4th and 44th Regiments; The Ordnance and Victualling Transports from South Carolina; And the Boreas with the 50th Regiment in three Transports from Jamaica; joined the Fleet.

The Renown with the Transports part of the Flora's Convoy which had put into Halifax; the Malaga mentioned in my first Letter, and another of the Transports belonging to the Hessian Embarkation, which had also proceeded for that Rendezvous after their Separation from Commodore Hotham, arrived here the fifth Instant. The Dispatch Schooner, which came from Halifax with this Convoy and separated from it the 13th past, is still missing.² They sailed from Halifax the 3d of last Month.

Commissioner Arbuthnot acquaints me by that Opportunity, that the Jersey Hospital Ship put into Halifax the 8th past: The Commander having been obliged by the Weakness of the Ship, to order her Anchors to be cut from her Bows in the bad Weather he met with on his passage out, and to throw over board the Flat Boat he was charged with.

The enclosed Copy of Commodore Hotham's Letter to Vice Admiral Shuldham of the 24th of June will inform their Lordships of the Commodore's proceedings and Intentions at that Period. The Brune sent with his Letters to Halifax, joined him again a few Days after, and proceeded with him on his Way to this Port, until the 19th of last Month: But then separated from him in Chase. Since that time, when he was supposed to be about eighty Leagues to the Eastward, I have not had the Satisfaction to receive any further Intelligence from him.

Captain [Charles] Thompson³ sailed three Days since for Jamaica, with no other Restraint upon his immediate Return to that Island, except the Charge of two Transports, which he was to see one hundred and fifty Leagues to the Eastward of this port on their Voyage to Cork to bring Provisions for the Army.

Their Lordships will see in the Dispatches from Sir Peter Parker, (of which I have added a Copy from that sent for my Information by the Solebay) the State of the Ships that have been employed on the Expedition under his Command: and also the Disposition he has made of the Ships left to the Southward.

I shall wait 'till I have seen the Commodore, before I trouble their Lordships with any Propositions respecting the purpose for which those Ships have been so appointed: The Condition of the Sloops particularly, seeming such as will disqualify them for any essential Service.

The Army continuing in the same Situation as mentioned in my last, leaves me no Room to make any Addition to this Letter concerning the particular Services that may be required of the Naval Force assembled at this Port. I am Sir [&c.]