Dear Sir,

M^r. Coleman returned here a few days Since and brought me your fav^r. of the 27^th. Ult^o. I perceive that Congress have so much Buisness on hand that nothing is done by them relative to the Portegueze Vessell.—¹

The Papers that are found are Translated and I inclose you Copys for your Perusal, for my own part I can see nothing in any of them that can Justify Cunninghams² Conduct, which I think is very Reprehensible— 

There is one Paper termd by the Portegueze the Naturilization of the Vessell,³ It appears She was Sold by Br[o]ok Watson of London to John Gathorn & by him Sent out to his Bro^r. Richard Gathorn who was at that time Consul at Fayall After the Vessell arrived at Fayall She was then either Sold to the Portegueze, or Naturalized—for my part I am of Opinion She was really sold as there appears a Rec^t. in the Body of the Paper.—Other People think this is the Method English Bottoms can Sale in the Portegueze Trade by Naturalizing them & that Still the Property is British.—

The Vessell & Cargo being now here, Somewhat was necessary to be done about her. M^r. Lowell my Lawyer being out of Town,⁴ I threw in a Memorial to Goverment (Copy of which is Inclosed) which they Granted,⁵ By this time M^r. Lowel Came to Town, I Shewed him what I had done & the Several Letters to You, he approved of the Whole—

The Capt^n. & Crew grew uneasy & Insisted on the Vessell being Libeled & unloaded—We then got a Petition to the Judge of the Maritime Court praying that the Portegueze Snow might be unloaded & the Goods stored & acco^t taken of the Same, which is now doing

— Myself & M^r. Webb⁶ bound to see the Same forth coming to the Judge's Order; This is the exact Situation of the Vessell at present under good Care—Its probable She may be Tried in a Month or five Weeks I pray that a righteous Judgment may be Pronounced on her for the honour of the United States. 'Tis a great pity the Captain of the Snow was sent Away—I think you will have time to write me Again before Tryall & hope it will be so. Your design to propose that Congress Should Order the Vessell & Cargo to be sold, and the Proceeds vested in the Publick Funds bearing Interest for the benefit of the Proprietors is very Just. Untill this Matter is determined I am aware of the Consequences and You May depend on my Care, According to the best of my Abilitys. And under the Consultation of M^r Lowell Whose Character either of the M^r. Adams's will Informe

The Privateer being now here,⁷ What is to be done with her? 'Twill be difficult to gett hands M^r Braxton some time since had thoughts of Selling her—I have Communicated my Sentiments to the Bearer of this Col^o. Griffin Who you will see having other Buisness with you—

I also Inclose you a Manifest of the Cargo as appears by Translations⁸

I dont Recollect any thing further at Present—therefore Remain [&c.]