In answer to your letter of yesterday about the convoy of Mr Fitch's ship to Portsmouth, we advise you that orders were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in the Downes, to appoint the first ship going westward to take care of her. If she has lain 5 days in the Downes, as Mr Fitch says, for want of a convoy, it is the Master's fault, for within that time the WOOLWICH went thence with several ships to Spithead, and also convoys to Portugal, the Canaries and Bilbao, with either of them he might have gone. The PLAY prize is the next ship going from the Downes and will sail the first wind and if the Master of Mr Fitch's ship will apply to her Commander he will take care of her.