London, 27 Sep 1776
[Extract]
... I shall have the honor of reporting for the knowledge of Your Excellencies that the daring of the Americans has gone so far as to affront Great Britain even in its own channels and to capture its ships trading with Portugal, Africa, and Italy....insurance [rates] which were one and a half percent jumped to ten and ten and a half percent, and are staying there ....
1. Papers of the Senate, ASV.