Sir Incloasd is mr Cahoon1 letter who was prizemaster of ye Brig George which I first took & was retaken in boston Bay last June and was caried to hallefax2 and been in prisen Ever Sence he came in ye Ship3 that Got in to marblehead that ye priseners retook. that peic of Sheloone4 I will Send you by ye first opertunity. the mony I toock of Capt Lam5 on my accot you must consider me & what hard luck I have met with I dont know how to Get ye hard money no more than ye dead nor how to replace it in martenico As lamb talck of ye. oners are to meet when lamb returns from boston and Settle on honnerable terms: Sr I forgot to mention to You when I was out ye first cruice I went in at pint peter6 to land a man that broak out with Small pox & made youse of your name for 408 livers french money of mr constant7 which is chargd in y bill of disbursments to ye Sloop8. I am [&c.]
Henry Billings9
Norwich February ye 16 Day 1778
L, CtNLHi, Nathaniel and Thomas Shaw Letters and Papers, portfolio 13.
1. Joseph Cohoon. See NDAR 9: 129n.
2. Brig George was recaptured by H.M. frigates Orpheus and Amazon on 17 June 1777. See NDAR 9: 129,129n.
3. Cartel ship Royal Bounty.
4. A lightweight twilled fabric of wool or worsted used for linings of coats and uniforms.
5. Capt. John Lamb, commander of the American letter of marque brigantine Irish Gimblet. See NDAR 10: 812-13, 829, 829n, 830.
6. Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe.
7. William Constant of Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe.
8. Connecticut privateer sloop Trumbull.
9. Formerly a lieutenant in the Connecticut Navy.
