Preston off New York
9th September 1777.
(Copy.)
Sir
I received the Honour of your Excellency's Letter addressed to Lord Howe, through the Hands of the Chevalier Fagan.
His Lordship not being here present himself, I have the Honour to inform You, that a Court of Admiralty is daily expected to be opened here, when all such French Vessels as have been brought in upon Suspicion of trading with the Rebels, contrary to the Act of Parliament on that Behalf, will be there tried, and either set at Liberty or adjudged Prizes, according as they are before that Court found to be circumstanced.
Their Masters and Crews having been cruelly treated and imprisoned, must have been mis-represented to your Excellency. It was natural to expect that all Attempts to furnish Supplies to the King's rebellious Subjects should be opposed; And that not having room in the Town for the Reception of more Persons besides the Inhabitants, it became necessary to lodge them in Transports for want of any other place to receive them until they could be sent to Europe, where they have been constantly set at Liberty, as will plainly appear to You by the small number that were remaining at the time Monsieur Fagan arrived, and which are now embarked with him; to whom I beg leave to refer You for any farther Particulars; and have the Honour to be [&c.]
[Endorsed] No 2. In Lord Howe's Letter of the 24: Octr 1777.
