Gentlemen,

Mr Joseph Brown, and Mr Moses Brown of this Place, principal Merchants, and Gentlemen of Distinction and Probity, will wait upon you with this Letter ー Their Brother Mr. John Brown of this Town Merchant, was two Days ago forcibly taken at Newport in a Packet, as he was coming from thence with a Quantity of Flour, which he had purchased there. He was carried on Board a Ship of War and confined, and we have since heard, that he is sent round to Boston with the Flour.

I request you to give to the Bearers any Aid and Assistance in Your Power, for procuring the Relief and Discharge of their Brother ー In my Letter of yesterday to the Congress, the Measure of Reprisal in this Instance was recommended, and if it may be, I wish it may be pursued.

I am your Friend [&c.]