(Copy)
Sir,

You will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissrs of the Admty, that on the 11th Instt I received a Letter from the Collector & Comptroiler of His Majs Customs at Dover, informing me that there was a Brig at Dunkirk taking on board Ordnance Cannon, Shells, Shott, and Intrenching Tools of all Sorts and was supposed to be bound to America, I immediately sailed with His Majesty's Cutter under my Command in quest of her, and on the 12th came off Dunkirk, where I found the same Brig as discribed laying at Anchor in the Road. I went on shore to Mr Frazier to get what Information I could relative to her Cargo, and he gave me the following Account, that she was fitted out at Dunkirk, and had on board, several Peices of Brass Cannon, Pistols, Bumb Shells, Shott and intrenching Tools & cleared out for Martinico and that the Cargo belongs to the King of France. You will also be pleased to acquaint their Lordships that Cunningham and his Crew, was set at Liberty on the 10th Inst at 10 O'clock at Night. The Person who fitted out the Lugger, called the Surprize is named Hodge An American by birth. He is also the Proprietor of the Cutter now fitting out at Dunkirk this Cutter is named the Greyhound & carries twelve six Pounders & thirty Swivels & Cunningham has declared that he means to put to sea in her on Sunday next, but from her Situation I do not think she can sail so soon and this Declaration of his allarmed the Masters of all the English Vessels; so that they are afraid to leave the Port. And, you will also be pleased to ac­ quaint their Lordships that Mr Frazier has received a Letter that the Brig which now [lies] at Newport is fitting out by one [Jonathan] Nesbitt an American Agent, & supposed will sail as a Privateer. You will also [be] pleased to acquaint their Lordships that I shall proceed [in] His Majesty's Cutter under my Command to Chatham [to] get the People paid their Wages, after which shall return to my Station without a Moments Loss of time And [am] Sir [&c.]