No 2:
Sir

My last Dispatches to their Lordships were dated the 29th October, and the 2d Novemr past, and were forwarded by one of the Merchant Ships that Sailed the 4th Novemr under Convoy of the Shark, and Duplicates thereof came by the Packet, Via Jamaica; in those Letters, I related the Transactions of the Squadron, under my Command to that time; I also mentioned the Pomona having been missing since the 7th Septemr last; ² and that the Portland had taken and sent into English Harbour, an American Privateer called the Putnam, carrying twelve Guns, and eighty Men. The Pomona is yet missing, and I have received no certain information what is become of her. The Portland arrived at English harbour the 19th Novemr from her Cruize, and had taken four other American Vessels as pr particulars in the List of Prize Vessels taken; The Portland on her arrival had a number of American Prisoners on board, and her Company were growing Sickly; I therefore wrote to the President of the Kings Council to lay the same before the Legislature of the Island of Antigua; in Order to their procuring some place of safety where said American Prisoners might be Secured; 'till I could receive directions from Engiand concerning them however they have not thought proper to Comply with my requisition; as their Lordships will perceive by the inclosed Paper marked No 1. which contains Copy of my Letter to the President, his Answer thereto and my Reply to said Answer. ³

The 17th November, the King George, Navy Transport, Danl Witherden Master, having onboard part of the Eighth, and Forty seventh Regiments of the Kings Forces onboard (whom She was ordered to carry to Quebeck) put into the Island of Montserrat in Distress having lost her Masts in bad weather at Sea, and I find by Report of a Survey held on said Transport she requires very Considerable repairs, and will be a great length of time before she can be refitted, and made sufficient to proceed on her Voyage: I therefore thought it would prove of more benefit to the Kings Service to send the Troops to America as soon as possible, and have accordingly Contracted with the Owners of the Ship Lord North, George Ross Master, to carry them to New York, there to be Landed and disposed of as the Commander in Chief may think proper, and I have wrote to Lord Howe and the General concerning them; the Paper marked No 2 is Copy of the Contract I have entered into with the Owners of the Ship Lord North; which I hope their Lordships will approve. The Killingworth Victualing Transport (Ordered by Lord Howe to proceed to England under Convoy of the Active) is put into St Johns Antigua in distress having sprung a Leak at Sea; I shall hasten the necessary Repairs both of her, and the King George Navy Transport, and Order them both to proceed to Deptford the moment they are Refitted.

The other in closed Papers marked No 3; 4; 5; 6 and 7 are Copies of Letters of Intelligence received from Captains Colpoys and Bryne, Copys of Orders given to the Seaford, Pelican, and Portland; List of Prizes taken; State and Condition and Disposition of the Ships under my Command, which you will likewise be pleased to Communicate to their Lordships I am Sir [&c.]