Antelope Jamaica September 3rd 1776
Sir
I have the pleasure to inform their Lordships, that since my letter of the 5th of last Month, Martial Law has been taken off, and that Peace & Tranquility is again restor'd to the Inhabitants, and beg leave to inclose for their information a Copy of a Letter I receiv'd from the Governor on that Subject.
I likewise beg leave to acquaint them that His Majestys Ship Winchelsea Captain [Nathaniel] Bateman arriv'd the 28th of August, by whom I receiv'd their directions to Careen & refit such of Lord Howe's Squadron as his Lordship might think proper to send, their order with the Kings Instructions respecting such Captures as should be made in consequence of the late Act for prohibiting all Trade & Commerce, with the Rebellious Colonies & your several letters of the 20th 22nd & 23rd of May, with their Inclosures, all which I shall pay due attention to, and beg leave to acquaint their Lordships, that I've always been very Circumspect in the orders which I have given my Cruizers, respecting the French Islands to prevent giving any umbrage to that Nation.
A few days before the arrival of the Winchelsea I receiv'd by the Pacquet their Lordships order for augmenting the Complements of His Majestys Ships under my Command and your several Letters of the 4th 5th & 7th June, acknowledging the receipt of mine of the 31 March last and beg leave to inform them that as the Atalanta was omitt'd in the List of Ships to have their Complements encreas'd, thinking it must have been some Mistake I have order'd Captain [Thomas] Lloyd to Compleat to 125 Men, which I hope will meet with their Lordships approbation.
I am happy they approve of the reasons which I have assign'd for purchasing the Lady Keith Schooner (which I have consider'd; as one of the Four, since order'd to be purchas'd) and am extreemly oblig'd to their Lordships for complying with my request in confirming the order which I gave Mr Frans L'Montais to be Lieutenant of her
Having no Money Imprest against me, on my leaving England for Contingent Charges, was the reason of my ordering the Naval Storekeeper topay the Attorneys Bill, for defending the several Actions brought against me for the Detention of the American Vessels & their Crews but will draw on the Navy Board for Five Hundred pounds Sterling to defray those Expences in future and shall account for the same in my Contingent Account agreeable to their Lordships directions, which I hope they will approve.
I likewise beg leave to acquaint them; that by the Addition of my Squadron and those expected from North America to Careen & refit, I have found it necessary for the forwarding the Service to purchase a Watering Sloop, as it [is] attend'd with many ill conveniences and bad consequences, watering with the Ships Boats, particularly to the small Arm'd Vessels &twenty Gun Ships, the Watering Place being near Ten Miles from Port Royal which Subjects the People, to be exposed to the extreem heat of the Sun in the Day, or to the Dews in the Night, both of which I am confident are very prejudicial to the Health of the Seamen, I have therefore order'd the Naval Storekeeper to purchase one of the Prize Sloops for £130 Curry(equal to £93 Stg) for this Service which I hope their Lordships will approve
The Inclos'd Account of Sir Peter Parkers attack on Chas Town I got from the Master of a Sloop, who was present, at the Action, which I am to much afraid may be depend'd on, as he is the Man, who escap'd with the Kings Powder from [New] Providence & has always been firmly attach'd to Government
With regard to the Disposition of His Majestys Ships & Vessels under my Command, I beg leave to inform their Lordships that the Antelope, Winchelsea & Atalanta are at Port Royal, the Winchelsea I shall send to Cruize after the Americans, as soon as she has got a new Bowspreet, having Sprung her old one upon the Passage out, the Atalanta I shall send to Convoy the Pacquet through the Windward Passage, then to Cruize to intercept the North Americans and on her return shall Careen & send her to Pensacola; to relieve the Diligence, who is exceeding bad.
The Squirrel & Porcupine Schooner are Sail'd on a Cruize for the Windward Passage to Intercept some North American Privateers which I had receiv'd information of, and to remain on that Service til the Middle of October ー The Racehorse; I expect in a few days from the North Side, where she has been Station'd for some time past, in consequence of the late intend'd Insurrection, on her arrival I shall order her to Compleat her Provisions & send her to Sea, the Badger is to remain Fourteen days longer, & if every thing then remains quiet to return to Port Royal ー The Boreas has been spoke with on the Coast of America, so I hope she'll soon Join me again & the Maidstone sailed with the Convoy in July & is to return to Jamaica, with all possible dispatch on leaving them I am, with great respect Sir [&c.]