As British Subjects We think it our Duty to Inform your Excellency of Matters which Regard the Welfare of Our King & Country, if such Informations as We May give can be Usefull to Either, We hope to procure thereby your Excellencs Approbation of our Loyal & Dutiful Sentiments, if Otherways, we flatter Ourselves, that in favor of these Sentiments your Excellency will pardon the Liberty we take in Troubling You ー the cause of doing so at present proceeds from the Arrival here of An American Ship of War Caled the Lexington, Commanded by a Captn [Henry] Johnson, mounting 16 four pounders with a Number of Swivels & 50 Men, she parted from Baltimore the 28 Feby & come to an Anchor in this port the 3rd Inst, on her Passage she took the following Prizes ー
The Brigg Northam of Biddeford, Richard Westcott Masr in Government Employ, bound from Rhode Island to England, & Set fire to her Immedeatly After ー
the Hanover, of Glasgow, Robert Pollock Mastr, bound to Jamaica with a Cargo of Herrings & Coals ー this Vessell Was Ordered to get into the first port of France or Spain, to be disposed of ー the Crews of Both Prizes Were taken on Board the American. ー Capt Westcott & his Came soon to a Good Understanding with the Rebels & have been Kindly Treated, but Capt Pollock with all his were loaded with Irons, & Confined in the Ships Hold ー on their Arrival they were Set at Liberty, & we have procured means for them to Return Immediatly to England ー Most of Captn Westcotts Crew we fear may Engage with the Rebels, the American Ship was Immediatly Admitted to an Entry in the Admiralty, & is to be Refitted & Siipplyed with what She may Want, Captn Johnson her Commander, set off Yesterday for Paris, with Dispatches from the Congress for Doctor Franklin & Mr Dean which We hear are of Mighty Consequence, he is to Return with Answers & proceed Back to Baltimore, as Soon as his Vessell is Repaired, this is the Information of Consequence, if your Excellency finds it of Any Use for the Welfare of our Country, we shall Aplaud Ourselves for giving it & it Now procures Us the Honor of Subscribing Ourselves ー Your Excellencys [&c.]
[Endorsed] In Lord Stormont's No 61
