Sir

I wrote you of 27. Ulto p Post, inclosg a package of papers & Letters taken with the Schr Rainbow, am stil without your directions respectg sd Vessel & Cargo ー

Last eveing two officers pas'd thorough this Town for Head Quarters, I did not see either of them, this morning, Twenty two men (includg Prisoners) from the arm'd Schooners Franklin & Speedwell,² came to Town from Winter Harbour,³ where they inform me, they left two prizes, one a Schooner of 130 Tons wt sundy Stores & dry goods from London for the Island of St Johns, the other a Brig & Lading with dry Fish, pack'd in Hhd bound from Novascotia to the West Indies⁴ Those Vessels were taken by the two Arm'd Vessels cruizing of[f] the mouth of the River St Lawrance, of wh you will be particularly Inform'd by the Officers gone forward

I must Advise from principle of Security that those Vessels be order'd to this or some safe Port, as soon as may be, not only from the Danger of the Enemy but the distance from any place of Sale for the Cargoes, shd they be deem'd prizes. ー were I warranted under a slight pretence shou'd not hisitate at ordering them hither without delay, the risk I apprehend but trifling, the distance only twelve Leagues. ー Fish, at this time much wanted here, to compleate the Cargoes of Sundy Vessels fitting out for the Continental & Provincial service, it will command 13/4d p Quintal if it's good. ー The bearer John Lewis belongg to the Schr Speedwell apply'd for a supply to defray his expences here, & help him forwd to Head Quarters, wch I thot Justifyable, & have furnish'd him with three pounds eighteen Shilgs Lawfl My [Money]

I shall wait further Orders & on rect thereof Immediately attend to them in the most secure & particular mode ー

Capt Adams of the Arm'd Schr Warren, Inform'd me that his number of men, are reduced to 30 od oweg to sickness & has left a number on shore, two of wc'h have died ー if he is to be continued any time cruizing wou'd it not be adviseable to make up his Compliment, he is now out on a cruize ー Nothing further has occur'd worthy [of] Notice, wch Concludes me respectfully Sir [&c.]

3. Winter Harbor is now known as Fortune's Rock. It lies between Cape Porpoise and Biddeford Pool on the Maine coast.
4. The schooner Lively and the brig Kingston Packet.