Gentlemen

I did apply last Monday Morning for an Order of your Honourable Board to Search a Certain Privateer call'd the Rising States — on board of which I had reason to think some of my Men were embark'd with an intention to desert the Publick Service —

The Order was Granted and a proper Officer appointd for that Service but before these could be Accomplished the Vessell Sail'd —

Your Honours thought proper on farther information to order Mr Cudworth down to Plymouth, as it was reported the privateer would call in there to receive on board a Certain Captn [James] Thompson, & others, who were to proceed on a Cruise in the Vessell Aforesaid — Mr Cudworth did proceed to Plymouth or near it and return'd to this Town last evening, and reports as follows —

That being met on the road by the Honble B. Genl [James] Warren to whom he related the Business on which he was going — The General told him that no such Vessell was or had been Lately at Plymouth — on which Mr Cudworth return'd in Company with the General and were met on the Road by our Captn of Marines whom I had dispatched after Mr Cudworth to Assist him if Necessary — he also returns with Genl Warren & Mr Cudworth & having taken Lodgings on Tuesday evening at Mr Cushing's of Hingham, they were soon joined by the aforesaid Captn James Thompson of the Brigt Rising States who brought with him in a Coach five Sailors —

Capt Thompson seem'd a little alarm'd at Seeing Mr Cudworth and our Officer of Marines at that place before him but as none of the five Men with him were personaly known by our officer, Mr Cudworth let them all pass — Genl Warren advised our Captn of Marines to return to Plymouth which he Accordingly did yesterday Morning before the Coach or its passengers were Stiring, Mr Cudworth informs no farther of his proceedings.

I had sent two Officers on Tuesday to Marblehead having had information that Men were to be collected at that place & sent over to Plymouth, Those Officers are now return'd and report to me that they found a Certain Mr [Henry] Fritz now Captn of Marines and a Certain Mr [Josiah] Martin now Carpenter of the Rising States, with them they also found about Nine Men who were then waiting an opportunity to go off on board the above mention'd Brigtn which was then in Sight Lying off, and on; the Harbours Mouth —

My Officers apply'd to the Committee, who could give them no other Assistance than to call those Officers before them, and on examination they did confess that they were bound on a Cruise on board the said Brigtn Rising States but would give no farther Satisfaction —

I thought it necessary to give your Honours the above information as soon as possible and am Your Honours [&c.]