TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ.

'Sandwich, off Sandy Hook, 'November 13th, 1780,

'I beg that you will be pleased to acquaint their Lordships, that all the convoys from 'Great Britain, Ireland, and South Carolina, 'with provisions for the navy and army, are 'safe arrived at this port, the Charon and 'Hussar having left at Charlestown the trade ' and victuallers bound to that port.

Monsieur Ternay and the French squa'dron still remain at Rhode Island, and Vice'Admiral Arbuthnot, with the squadron under 'his command, in Gardiner's Bay, in order to 'watch their motions.

'I directed the Vice-Admiral to recall the 'Prudent and America, which he had de'tached from his squadron to cruise in Boston 'Bay, and on their junction with them to ' order the Russell and Centaur to join the squadron under my command, off Sandy Hook, immediately, in order for their proceeding with me to the West Indies; and

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' although those ships have not joined me, I

'shall proceed, without a moment's loss of ' time, to sea, when wind and weather permit. 'By a vessel which left St. Christopher's, on the 11th of October (having been blown out of the road in a sort of hurricane), I learn that everything was quiet in the 'Caribbee Islands, and that the enemy had no ships of war remaining at Martinique ; ' and likewise, that the Ramilies and Southampton had passed St. Christopher's, on 'their way to Jamaica.

'So many ships of war at Jamaica, and the Thunderer and Warwick not having re' turned to St. Lucie, as your letter by Com'modore Walsingham informed me it was 'their Lordships' orders they should so do, 'will leave the windward islands, which, in all probability will again be the scene of war, very bare of ships. I trust and hope, and have not a doubt but their Lordships' 'intention is, that I shall be fully supported

as far as the nature of the public service ' will admit, in order to enable me to carry ' on the war with advantage to his Majesty ' and the state.

'I left orders with Commodore Hotham, to

'send home with the other convoy, the Fame, Suffolk, and Vigilant, as likewise the Vengeance, if her condition required it. I hope they are now on their passage to Great 'Britain. Should they not have sailed before my arrival at St. Lucie, I shall hasten them

home, that they may be repaired before the ensuing summer.

'I likewise send with these despatches, the Yarmouth, which is in great want of repair; ' and I have left orders for the Thames and 'Fowey, which are in the same condition, to 'proceed from New York with the trade,

empty transports, and victuallers, on the 30th ' of this month, to Great Britain, which I trust 'will meet with their Lordships' approbation.

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Inclosed I have the honour to send for 'their Lordships' inspection the letter of Captain Gayton, of his Majesty's ship Romulus, to whom I have given the com'mand of the enterprise Sir Henry Clinton 'desired might be carried on in the Chesa

peake. Their Lordships will perceive that 'the expedition was successful, and might ' have answered many good purposes, had it

'not been for the misfortune which happened 'to part of Lord Cornwallis's army, which ' compelled them to retire from James River, in order to support his Lordship in Cape Fear River, North Carolina*.

'To-morrow, a reinforcement of troops, 'under the command of Brigadier-General 'O'Hara, sails for Cape Fear River, which I 'will take care shall be supported with a strong convoy, going myself, with the squa'dron under my command, part of the way ' for that purpose.

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In vain have I solicited for a body of troops to sail with me, and act in the West Indies fully convinced I am, if that could 'be obtained, that a post might be taken in Martinique, and rendered tenable, which 'would deprive the French fleet of the power

*The main object of this expedition was, to create a diversion in favour of Lord Cornwallis's army. It was conducted by Captain Gayton and Major-General Leslie, with much skill and judgment. They took the towns of Portsmouth and Hampton, and some other small forts on the James River, and captured and destroyed a quantity of small craft, stores, &c. &c., but were prevented from pursuing their success by the reverse which befel Lord Cornwallis's army.

' of sheltering themselves in the bay of Port 'Royal, and enable his Majesty's fleet to ' anchor with safety in the said bay, and at 'all times support the troops. If this should 'not be thought proper, the troops might be employed in the reduction of the British islands taken by the enemy, and at the very time most proper for troops to act with advantage in that climate.

'Sir Henry Clinton, who is sensible of the 'advantage it would be to the nation, both 'for the troops to act in America and the • West Indies at the proper seasons, is very

sorry that the situation of affairs would not 'permit him to comply with my request; 'but their Lordships may be assured, that if the troops at present in the West Indies are in a condition to act, both General

Vaughan and myself will leave nothing ' unattempted that can properly be under'taken with any probability of success.

• On my arrival in those seas, I shall send 'an express to their Lordships, acquainting 'them with the situation of affairs in that part of the world.

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