My Lord

Captain [Richard] Pearson, of his Majesty's Sloop the Speedwell, having acquainted Us, in his Letter of the 23d Instant, from Dover, that in obedience to Our Orders to him of the 9th of September last, grounded on his Majesty's Pleasure, signified to Us in the Earl of Rochford's Letter of the 1st of the same month, he had seized and detained a vessel bound from Amsterdam to St Thomas's, which appears by her Papers to be American Property; We send your Lordship herewith a Copy of Captain Pearson's said Letter, together with a Copy of the Ship's Register, and an Account of her Cargo, all which We desire your Lordship will please to lay before the King, and that you will receive and signify to Us His Majesty's Pleasure, how the said Vessel shall be disposed of. We are My Lord [&c.]