D^r. Sir

The Portuguese Snow¹ was tryd at Our Maritime Court &Acquitted after A Serious Tryall.—The Snow is now here & her Cargo hous'd I have petitiond Our General Court that they may appoint Some Person or other to take Charge of her &c untill the Determination of Congress may be had thereon & with the Petition I accompany'd your Letter to Me—which will give them your Sentiments²—Respecting this Unlucky Capture—

Its my Opinion that the Cargo be sold as soon as Congress Shall order-& the mony Lodgd in the Publick funds on Interest untill Some Method can be found to Restore the Am^o. to the Former Owners—

If I can be of any Service in the Sale or any other Matter, it will be executed with Pleasure & Attention I Inclose you Coppy of My Petition to the Gen^l Court³ the Sooner the Determination of Congress Shall be Effected the Better. As the Cargo must naturally Leak Out by Laying in Pipes—espcially Oyl I am D^r. Sir [&c.]