Sir
I am commanded by his Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 15 Inst. His Excellency is glad to hear of the vessels being libelled & doubts not of your assiduity to have the legality of the Captures determined as soon as It shall be in your power.
His Excellency is well pleased that the Schooner Harrison is yet good & fit for service, & from the Character you have given Captn Dyar, is willing that you should give him the command of her, & to Indulge such men as may off er their service to Inlist only for Six months ー The Captain thinks that a square Sail & some other small sails will be of great advantage to him ー This his Excellency leaves to your Judgement: If they are necessary in your opinion, and the expence will not be out of proportion to the benefit likely to be derived from them, you will please to provide them. You will immediately dispatch the Captain upon a cruize with such Sails as he has, If they will Answer, those he wants may be made while he is out.
As to the Vessels taken & carried into Dartmouth by Major [Benjamin] Tupper, his Excellency thinks they ought to be Libelled. I am &c
