War Office Boston March 11th 1778
Gentn.
We have been honor'd with your sundry favors of the 27 April 30th May 17 July 30th & 31st August 18th Septr. 8th & 18th October & 15th Novr. & note in conformity their several Contents. We are sorry to inform you that all our adventures both to and from your Port have miscarried, but we hope this will meet with better fortune. The Bearer of this Captn. Israel Turner in our Briga Dolphin1 is loaded with an assorted Cargo, to your address as Pr. Invoice & Bill of Lading, which we now enclose & desire you will sell the same for the most it will yeild & invest the Neet proceeds together with the old Ballance in such Articles as are mention'd underneath in proportion to each of them. We entreat you to give Captn Turner all possible dispatch & as by agreement he is to receive £60 Sterling on his safe arrival in Bilboa & the Crew one months pay, this you will advance to him, besides what moneys may be necessary for his Disbursments We are very respectfully [&c.]
By order Saml P Savage Prest.
If the Sales of this Cargo with the Ballance of our Accot. now in your hands should be more than sufficient to procure the foregoing Schedule you will then Ship us the Ballance in English Blue Cloths from 8/ to 10/. Three Quarters of them to be of the Lower price or 8/⅌ yard.—
LB, M-Ar, Mass. Archives Collection, vol. 151 (Letters from the Board of War, 1776-1780), pp. 163-66. Addressed at foot: "Messrs. J. Gardoque & Sons—."
1. Massachusetts State trading brigantine Dolphin.