Sir
Be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that I have just received by the October packet your four Letters Dated the 3d October last, with Duplicate of two others Dated the 5th & 6th September. I am very much Concerned to find I have incurred the Censure of their Lordships, by my Orders of the 27th July 1776, to Captain [William] Garnier of the Argo, wherein I left him at liberty to part from the Convoy in the Latitude of 38°, North; and not directing him to see them to England. I beg of you to inform their Lordships my sole motive for so doing was, I judged the Trade to be in perfect Security at that distance from the Islands, (having never heard any American Cruizers were seen farther to the Northward than 35° North) and the Argo being represented to me in so very Crazy a State, I was desirous she should make her passage before the Equinox; when heavy Gales of Wind frequently happen in & about the English Channel; and from her reported Condition I did not think the Argo at all fit to encounter them: I therefore hope their Lordships will think these reasons Satisfactory and believe I shall always exert my best Endeavours for the good of the Kings Service; and punctually Obey their Commands.
I am extreamly sorry farther to inform their Lordships; that Yesterday I received information by a Seaman, who was lately discharged from the Atalanta at Jamaica; and came from thence Six Weeks ago; who says when he left that place His Majestys Sloop Pomona had not been at Jamaica; but that a packet (supposed here to have been lost in the Gale of Wind) arrived there dismasted: I am therefore very much afraid, The Pomona was lost in the late Gale of Wind: and as her loss will be very great on this Station (the Seas at this time Swarming with American Armed Vessels & Privateers) I presume to hope their Lordships will not disapprove of my Purchasing & Commissioning some more Armed Vessels, and a Sloop of War to replace the Pomona; if I can meet with such Vessels as are fit and proper for the Occasion. I have the honour tobe Sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] Recd & Read 12 Mar Answd — 2 Apl
