No 1.
Sir, I request you will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; that I have now received your different Letters mentioned on the other side with their Duplicates; the latter I received the 22d Novemr pr September Packet, but the Originals did not reach me 'till the 5th Instant. (Owing to an Error in the Post-Master at Barbado's who took them from the August Packet, expecting some Ship of the Squadron would call for them, as had been usual; but the Kings Ships being all out on different Cruizing Stations; I had no Ship with me to send up to Barbados 'till the latter end of Novemr when I sent His Majesty's Brigantine Endeavour which brought me said Letters the 5th Current.) I am extreemly sorry to find this mistake and delay has prevented my Complying with their Lordships directions, (pr your Letter of the 9th August) to Order the Ship that sailed with the Trade from St Christophers the 4th of November last; to proceed with them to England; however their Lordships will perceive by my Letter to you of the 29th October last; I had directed Captain Chapman to see such Ships as Sailed under his Convoy as far as the Latitude of 38° North: which I flatter myself is to a greater distance from the Islands than any of the American Cruizers go to. The Seaford is Cruizing off St Eustatia and the adjacent Islands, and I shall send the Kings Brigantine Endeavour to join her as soon as She is Victualed and will give such particular description of the Schooner Gunticanute as may enable them to intercept her.
I am exceeding sorry to perceive (by your Letter of the 7th August) my Appointment; of Lieutenants Swiney and Drummond to be Second and Third Lieutenants of the Portland, and of Mr John Luck to be Second Lieutenant of the Argo, is disapproved by their Lordships, and that they should appear to suppose said appointments had been made in consequence of Mr Young refusing to go back Lieutenant of the Portland. I must therefore entreat you will now acquaint their Lordships the latter was in no wise the case, but said appointments were made on a Supposition their Lordships.would have been pleased to put Mr Young on the List of Masters and Commanders for the reasons I took the liberty to off er to their Consideration in my Letter to you of the 20th May last; however as you now acquaint me their Lordships do not think fit to depart from the Resolution they had come to on that matter, (Signified to me by Mr [George] Jackson's Letter of the 20th February last) I shall submit to their pleasure; and will appoint Mr Young Second Lieutenant of the Portland the moment I can get an opportunity to put Mr Drummond into some other Ship. —
I must also beg you will assure their Lordships no care or endeavours shall be wanting in me to distress and annoy the Rebels so far as I am able to effect it, with the small Squadron under my Command; but if the Intelligence your Letter of the 6th Septemr brings me is well grounded, I hope their Lordships will think it necessary and be pleased speedily to reinforce the Squadron employed in these Seas.
The inclosed Papers marked No 1, 2, & 3 are Copies of intercepted Letters, and private Intelligence sent me which I must desire you to lay before their Lordships.2 I am Sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] Recd 12 March 1777
Answd 2 Apl (3 Inclosures)