Copy, UkLPR, Adm. 1/5310 fol. 197. Addressed below the close: “To Capt. Brisbane &c &c &c." This letter read at the court-martial of Capt. John Symons for the loss of H.M. frigate Cerberus held at New York on 28 Sept. 1778 in H.M.S. Royal Oak Capt. Hugh Dalrymple of HM frigate Juno received the same message, as did Capt. Richard Smith of HM frigate Lark, and Capt. Charles Hudson of HM frigate Orpheus. The copy of the letter read into the record at Smith's court-martial included the following additional notation in the margin, not found in the other copies: "A Line of Battle Ship of the enemy's went up the Naraganset this Afternoon.” Ibid., fols. 181, 186, and 207–8. The copies sent also included the orders of Brisbane to his captains, found immediately below.
