[Extract]
N^o. 1
Sir

My last Letter to their Lordships was dated the 16^th: Ins^t:, ¹ and transmitted You p^r. the Packet Via Jamaica (Duplicate of that; and what I wrote their Lordships the 22^d: October last marked N^o. 1 @ 6² come likewise by this Conveyance) In farther Answer to their Lordships Sundry Letters received by the October Packet. I am to desire You will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commissioners that the Two Dutch Ships called the Water Geus; and the De Hoop (mentioned in their Letter dated the 16^th: september last,³ to be taken by the Seaford) are those I wrote their Lordships concerning, the 12^th. June,⁴ & 21^st: July last;⁵ The De Hoop having Gun Powder & Warlike Stores on board, was detained in pursuance of their Lordships Orders to me dated the 15^th: Feb^y. last,⁶ and the Water Geus on information that a great part of her Cargo was American produce, however they were both acquitted and released by the Sentence of the Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court at this Island, they to pay Costs, as the Judge pronounced just Cause for detention; and the Ships were released accordingly.

In respect to the Extract from Lord Macartneys Letter to Lord George Germain;⁷ I can send no other Answer to their Lordships, But that I have always given every protection in my Power to the different Islands, on this very extensive station; and as much so to Tobago; and those under Lord Macartneys Government; as to any of the others, and having Answered His Lordships Letters to me on that Subject, I presume he has sent Copies of them to the Secretary of State; what His Lordship mentions, to have one Ship Constantly employed to attend the Island of Tobago would by no means effect the Service He expects, as such Ship could not be in every part of the Island at the same Time, and from the extraordinary Currents about that Island She would soon be drove off unless she remained at Anchor and could then prove of no Service to the Island. . . . I am [&c.]