St James's August 16th 1776.
My Lords,
I am directed to signify to Your Lordships The King's Commands that Henry Johnson, El. Downour, David Hall, and John Cochran, who acted as Officers aboard the Rebel Privateer call'd the Yankee of Boston, be properly secured for the present aboard such Vessel belonging to His Majesty as your Lordships may find most convenient. But with regard to the Crew, consisting of 17. Men & 2 Negro Slaves, His Majesty in his Clemency has no Objection to their being received aboard some Ship of War. It would however be most expedient to dispose of them in some Vessel employed in the East Indies, or, if not, in the Mediterranean Station, as they will be under constant Temptation to desert in the Hopes of obtaining in North Americaa a Share of the valuable Plunder which their Vessel had collected [and] sent to New England. I am &c.
Suffolk.
1. PRO; State Papers, 42/49, 80.