Honble sirs

I had the honour to acquaint you under the 14th Instant of the Capture made by the Hancock & Boston, and that the latter was Arriv'd at Sheepscut, I confirm what I then wrote, tho we have no Letters from Capt M^cNeile, a report has prevail'd for some days past that the Fox was retaken and sent into Halifax, But I hope it is without foundation; we have nothing from Capt Manly since Capt M^cNeile parted from him which was About the third of this Inst the Occasion of their seperating was, they fell in with the Romney [sic Rainbow], a fifty, the Flora a thirty Six, and Another Frigate of thirty two Guns, when Capt M^cNeile says the Signal was given to make the Best of their way & take care of themselves. I hope soon to have the pleasure of giving an Account of the arrival of the Hancock with her Prize, which they took the 7 Ultimo, And landed their prisoners at Newfoundland, the information of their putting them on board a Sloop was wrong, we are much at a loss to know why Capt M^cNeile has not wrote to any of his friends hear, the Gentlen who gives me this account Dined with a person who was a volunteer with him, who told him when he left the Ship the day before M^cNeile had heard that two Ships where gone into an eastern port and he was gone down in his boats hoaping to find Manley & the fox. I hope he was not disappointed, I now inclose sundry Accounts as P List should have included the Schooners Accounts, but the Ordnance being sent to General Washington, could not fill up a number of Blanks for sundrys recd from that Store,² the Alfreds shall be forwarded next Week. I have the honour to be [&c.]

The moment I finishd my Ltr I Recd a Message from the Wife of Capt [Stephen] Hill who commanded the Fox when she was retaken he writes his Wife³ when he Left The Hancock the Rainbow was in Chace of her I am not able to Collect particulars as we have had no Letters from Capt M^cNeile I trust he has wrote the hon Board We are told Capt [Daniel] Waters lost part of his hand in the Engagement.