Sir

I have taken the Depositions of several People on Board the Tarter Transport and do find upon the whole that the Master of her Basely & Cowardly gave her up without firing a Gun, tho' encouraged by his own Men to fight the Privateer — but as we have no Method by Common Law for Punishing Cowards I cant see what we or you can do with him, for there is no Punishing Cowardice but by the Martial Law.

I am therefore of Opinion there can be nothing done with this Fellow but to cause the Ship which I am told is his own Property to be Libelled for Salvage, with which You may reward those honest Fellows that recovered her — and not any longer to detain Bustle [William Bussel] the Master but let him go about his Business — & if you require it I shall Libell his Ship — and am with Respect [&c.]

(Copy)
[Endorsed] No. 1 Attorney-Generals Letter to Sir George Collier respecting Bussel In Sir Geo Colliers of the 8th. Janry 1777