[Extract]
No 9
My Lord

I cannot doubt of Your Excellency's attention to the Applications made to You by the Owners of the Vessels taken by the Reprisal. The Conduct of the Master of that Vessel is so truly piratical that it cannot be defended by the french Ministers and I should hope, that without presenting a formal Memorial, which it would be more desirable to avoid, the two Ships, the Vine and the George would be returned to their Owners. You have so discreetly entered into this business that it must be unnecessary to give your Excellency any Instructions on that head.

We are well informed of the Steps taken by the french to induce the Americans to supply them with Tobacco. Attention is paid here to that important object. A Vessel² has lately been brought in here by part of the Crew that had on board upwards of four hundred hogsheads consigned to France, and it is most probable that other Cargoes are at Sea for the same destination.

Your conversation with M. de Vergennes on the subject of the five ships was extremely able & well timed, and meets with His Majesty's entire approbation.³ These are Points on which Your Excellency cannot receive immediate Instructions, and indeed such are unnecessary to You, who .on all occasions are prompted by your zeal for His Majesty's Service to attend to every material circumstance that happens, and directed by a Judgment and Discretion that secures The King's Affairs entrusted to You from danger or difficulty. If these Vessels should sail notwithstanding your proper representation, it is to be expected, from the Vigilance of Lord Howe's Cruizers, that they will not arrive at their place of destination, as the Ports at present in the possession of His Majesty's Forces increase the difficulty of eluding the search that will be made after them.

As the Bill for granting Letters of Marque has passed through the Commons, and will not undergo in all probability any material alteration, I send a copy of it inclosed. I am &c