Duplicate

Sir, My last Letters for their Lordships came addressed to you, by His Majesty's Sloop Weazle; I have not received any Dispatches from their Lordships since those by His Majesty's Sloop Shark; nor have I since had any particular Intelligence concerning the American Rebels; except the comInon Report of their having sundry Armed Vessels, Cruizing for the homeward bound Trade; from the West India Islands; several of which have been taken, and sent for different Ports in America; and some of them it's said, have been Re-taken by the Kings Ships Stationed on the Coast of America. The aforesaid Armed Vessels are said to Cruize about the Latitudes of 30° to 35° North which is at a greater distance, than I can send the Kings Ships at present under my Command to; unless their Lordships will be pleased Considerably to Reinforce the Squadron; and thereby enable me to send out a greater Number of Cruizers, which might then be spread to a greater distance from the Islands.

The inclosed paper Marked No 1, is Copy of a Letter I received the 21st Current from the Honble Craister Greatheed of St Christophers, (Commander in Chief of the Leeward Char[r]ibbee Islands for the time being) by which their Lordships will perceive that on the 5th Instant a terrible Fire broke out in the Town of Basseterre, St Christophers, which has Consumed the greater part of that Town; and to add to their Calamity, on the 6th & 7th Septemr came on a Violent Gale of Wind, with heavy rain; which has done considerable Damage among the Islands, and to the Shipping; particularly at Guadalupe, Marygallante, Martinico, Montserrat, St Kitts and the Islands to Leeward. His Majesty's Brigantine Tender the Sandwich, in coming over from Prince Ruperts Bay with Water, was caught in the Storm, and obliged to Cut away her Main Mast, and put into the Island of Nevis where She procured a new Mast and got refitted and arrived at English harbour the 20th Instant.

I am apprehensive His Majesty's Sloop Pomona, has also met with some disaster and gone away to leeward; as her Orders directed Her return back to English harbour, the 5th September, and She is not yet arrived; nor have I received any Intelligence of her since the Gale of Wind.

She had before then taken an Armed Brigantine with 8 Guns and 20 Men; which is put into the Island of Tortola in distress; having Cut away her Foremast and thrown her Guns overboard in the late Gale of Wind.

The Portland has been Careened, is Refitted and Sails this day on a Cruize; ー The Hind has been Eleven times hove Kell Out, to repair the Damage her Bottom received by striking the Ground coming into English harbour the 25th July; of which Accident I wrote their Lordships by the Weazle: Her Damages are now repaired, and She is refitting for Sea with all possible Expedition.

Yesterday His Majesty's Sloop Hawke came in from Barbados, and acquaints me no Packet is expected to arrive there from England for the Month of August last ー The other inclosed Papers marked No 2, 3, and 4; are Account of the Appointment and removal of Officers between the 1st July 1776, and the 30th September 1776, List of Prizes taken since the 1st August last; and the State and Condition of the Squadron under my Command; which you will likewise please to Communicate to their Lordships. I am Sir [&c.]

[Endorsed] Recd 22 Decr [1776]