Sir

Please to acquaint My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that I sailed Yesterday in the Portland from English Harbour Antigua, with Intention to Visit the Different Islands on the Station, having the Ariadne and Cygnet in Company [(the latter had just brought into English Harbour the Oliver Cromwell Privateer taken by Captain [James] Jones of His Majesty's Sloop Beaver)] and seeing a Sloop in the Offing that looked somewhat suspicious I sent the Ariadne to speak her, and I have the Pleasure to acquaint their Lordships, that She joined me this Morning at Basse Terre road, St Christophers with Said Sloop in Company; which proved a French Armed Sloop called the Marangoin having no Papers but a Copy of the Commission granted by the New State of Virginia to John Harris Commander of the Privateer Brig Musketo and was fitted out at Guadaloupe by some French Merchants to act as a Tender to that Brigantine; Agreeable to the Plan formed by Harrison one of the American Agents at Martinico in the Letters inclosed for their Lordships inspection P my Dispatch of the 12th Instant marked No 7. The Marangoin is commanded by John Welch one of the Persons named and recommended in the aforementioned Letters; all the rest of her Crew, (being fifty in Number) are French Subjects belonging to the Island Guadaloupe; As I think it Necessary these Prisoners should be all sent to England, to be dealt with, As their Lordships may think Proper, I have directed them to be Distributed amongst the Convoy in Order to be carried there.

[The Ariadne appears to sail very well; and I hope will give a good Account of Several other, Privateers before long; had We been so fortunate sooner to have had some fast Sailing Cruizers on the Station, the Rebels Privateers Cruizing in these Seas would not have met with the Success they did.] I am Sir [&c.]

[Endorsed] Rx 4 Aug: by the Post Ansd 1 Octa. 4 August Copy Ld Weymo for the Kgs information — leaving outbetween [].