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My Lord,

I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that the Cutter, the Greyhound,² has this day taken her Guns on board, amounting to 14. four Pounders, as also a large proportion of Shot & Grape Shot. The Guns were not mounted but put directly into the hold with their Carriages, & this Embarkation was made without any particular precautions or secrecy whatever. I have likewise the honour to acquaint Your Lordship that the Sails of the Cutter have been bent this Evening, and that she seems now quite ready to put toSea.

The Court of France has, I understand, required of Mr Hodge to find security that no Depredations shall be committed by his Vessel on the high Seas, but that Mr Hodge has answered, he cannot find any security, and has applied to have this Restriction taken off. Should that continue to be insisted upon, it is still to be apprehended the Cutter will seize an opportunity of putting to Sea in the Night.

Mr Hodge, not finding a sufficient number of hands to equip both his Vessels, has given up thoughts of arming the Lugger, & has announced that she is to be sold. I have the honour to be &ca