Boston 17th Sepr 1777
Honble Sirs
These serve to inclose the Account of the Cost & Outfit of Ship Esther, with Cost of the Sugar, ship'd in her as I recd from Mr Jarvis. the Ship Mellish and Brig Tryton remain on hand, the latter with part of her Cargo — the other part I have now a Prospect of getting, as the Season of the Year wont Suffer the British Cruizers much longer to infest our Coast & harbours. I have Agreed for Staves enough to fill her up with what I have of Salmon & Pearl Ash — The non appearence of the Dispatch makes me apprehensive She is taken.2 the Ship Peggy Condemned at our marine Court near a Year since & by an Appeal waits the Decission of Congress, is a fine Ship ruining at the wharf.3 I have the honour to be [&c.]
Jno Bradford
1. John Bradford Letter Books, vol. 2, 87, LC. Although the Secret Committee was replaced by the Committee of Commerce on July 5, 1777, Bradford continued to address letters to the Secret Committee.
2. Dispatch, Captain Stephen Cleveland, was not lost. She arrived at Salem on September 18. See Bradford to the Committee of Commerce, September 19.
3. See Volumes 6 and 7.
