Sir

I have now to reply to your Favour of the 9th Instant which inclos'd me a list of the Persons concern'd in the Capture of the Ship Alexander — which being certified only ,by the Clerk — I have returnd with the list of the Ship Alfreds Company to Capt John Bradford for you to affix your Signature — I was the more induced to this as I observe that you have put down James Grennell as a Boy — when the late Commr in chief Mr Hopkins certifies that he was a Midshipman — although it may be just that when there are fewer than the Compliment in any Classes of Officers those who belong to such Classes are entitled to no greater Shares than they could have claim'd, had the Compliment been full — yet I am persuaded those Officers never would consent that the part alloted to their particular Class shd be divided otherways than among themselves — but should the Congress order it to be so settled I  \immagine they would make no great Difficulty—

The Supernumerary Officers are pretty well got over the Order of Congress respecting the turning over of Officers from one Ship to another leaves but little room for Dispute — the only Objection now is against the Acting Lieutenants Masters &c classing with the Lieutenants & Masters —the Classes below them will object to their classing w[ith] them & I see not where you can place them or what furthur can be done than dividing the ten Deserving Shares among them²

Capt Hacker has disposed of three & half Shares of the ten & consequently has left six & a half for [the] Ship — he also has alloted a Share to one [Stephen] Rus[t] a Midshipman on board the Prize as first seeing the Mellish. 

I observe there was 7 Casks of Beef & 26 Bags Bread taken on board the Alfred from the Mellish — I have been applied to by Commodore Hopkins for his 1/20 of the Alexan[der] & shall acquaint him with your Demand — [but] I cant yet think myself safe in paying it to you any more than to him — as soon as I can see a Resolution of Congress to pay the thr[ee] twentieths of that Vessel to Capt Jones I shall be ready to obey — If you will be kind enough to call on Messs Cushing & White they will pay you Seven hundred & eighty pounds which if the Division is made as I am confident it will wont be much short of yr part of the Ship Mellish & Brig Active & yr part also of the Alexander with the fifty pounds Sterling paid your Order to [Ca]pt Fox³  I wish you when you sail a [p]leasant & prosperous Voyage & am — with due respect [&c.]