[Extract]

. . .  I have recd the Copy of a letter from Mr Deane that was taken but was preserved without the Captors every coming at the Contents, it is as follows — ²

I believe this was wrote at Paris altho dated Bourdeaux for a blind, but am not sure I am a good deal of his opinion respecting the Portugueeze the only doubt is whether that Kings declaration of shutting up his Ports against us, will justify us in the Eyes of the World or in other Words, whether he has given us sufficie[nt] cause to declare War on him & his Subjects, If he has we shou'd not hesitate, the bait is tempting & that insignific[ant] Nation can do us no harm.

Our River is now nearly clear of Ice and I propose pushing out Captn Biddl[e] I do think we cannot employ him & the small Vessells better than to send them to Martinico for the Stores mentioned in Mr Ds letter, and I will send out the Indico now here as a remittance towards paying our Debts in that Island I have engaged a proper person to carry your dispatches to France I send him out in a French Ship that if she once gets out to Sea will appear as if She had loaded in Martinico & she is actually Fren[ch] property which gives a fine chance of going safe . . .