Sir

Inclosed you have a Copy of a letter which Mr Updike has received from his Friend in Milford ー The Vessel therein mentioned is one we Charter'd on the Continental Account and on her return was taken by a tender; but before she got into port was retaken by the Schuyler Captn [Charles] Pond and carried into Long-Island, there they tooke out her Cargo, consisting of Powder, Arms, Salt Petere & dry goods &c for the Continent & a few hhd Molosses as Adventurers, on the Enemy taking possession of Long Iland She was loaded with Sea Coal & carried into Milford ー we have now to request of you that you would Endeavour to have this matter accomodated ー As you are Continental Agent & she was taken by a Continental Privateer & fitted out on the Continental Accot we think some method might be found that the vessel may be returned to us; that we may return her again to the owner ー We should not have troubled you with this affair, but we wrote to Congress about it, and they have been so much taken up with business of more importance, that they have not had time to answer it ー In answer to your favr of the 25 Inst we must inform you that the Sea Coal you mention is private property and the persons who own it will not sell as they propose making use of it, in an Air Furnace which they are about setting up, but we imagine you may [be] able to get it out of the Sloop, Nancy before mentioned & it would be rendering the Continent & yourselves a Service if you could get her into your Port & have the Matter settled, as we want to settle our accounts with Congress ー your compliance with this request will greatly Oblige Sir [&c.]

Clark & Nightingale