Sir,
I have this Minuet received yours of the 24th setting forth their Lordships Direction to send to your board Lord Howe's Orders for bringing home the Convoy of Dutch & English Merchant Ships, together with a list of their Numbers, which I have Inclos'd herein as I am desired to be very particular when, and the reasons why, that Part of the Convoy left us, I therefore judge it Most Adviseable to send up my Journal for their Lordships Inspection, which will point Out to them the reason of Many Of Our Convoy leaving us, and by Which their Lordships Plainly will See was Occasion'd by their Paying so little or no Attention to Any Signals Made by me, and I hope their Lordships will allow its not in the power of two of His Majts ships to keep so large a Convoy together against their Inclinations. I am sir [&c.]
N. B. My Journal and Lord Howe's Orders are this Minute Lodg'd in the Commissioners Office
Active Plymo. Dock 27th Decem. 1776. 4. P. M.