My Lord

We beg leave to lay before your Lordship the following Extract of a letter received by us this day from Mess^rs. Lynch Killikelly & Morony of Bilbao, informing us of the Capture of the ship Hope Cap^t. William Butler & her Cargo, bound from Newfoundland to a market the property of M^r Robert Eustace & C^o. of Waterford, by a Cutter¹ belonging to the Rebel Privateer—commanded by Cunningham.

James Sutton & C^o

Bilbao 21 Janu^y: 1778

"By ours of the 31^st. Ult^o. we advised how the storm had drove in here Cap^ts. Cunningham, Babson, & Hibbert, & are now sorry to tell you that a Virginia man with Tobacco coming to Mess^rs. Gardoquis from San Ander being taken by a Guernsey Privateer near S^t. Oña they dispatched immediately Cunninghams Cutter as a prime Sailor double mann'd in quest of her & the same day he sailed which was the 10^th. he fell in with the Hope Cap^n. William Butler, took Her & the 16^th. sent her in here but Cap^n. & Crew remain on board the privateer, we immediately presented a petition to our Consulado to have the bar pilot of the prize swore to declare the distance the Ship was from Soare when taken but to no Effect for he deposed it was the day after she was taken he got on board & that about four Leagues from Castro, our B P Killikelly is gone to Castro & S^t. Oña to see if he can get any Insight of the distance, but we fear our diligences will prove ineffectual—the Cutter continued her course towards Guernsey & its probable, Butler & Crew wil be put on Shore far from hence—we know not as yet if our Court will permitt the landing here of this cargoe but of what occurrs shall advise you—all this please to impart to M^r. Eustace for whose Loss are very sorry & wish him better luck hence forw^d."

By the above your Lordship will be sensible of the manner in which M^r. Eustace has been deprived of his Property, we therefore humbly hope your Lorship will be pleased to order such Measures to be taken as your Lordship may judge conducive to the recovery thereof. We are [&c.]

Dyers Court Aldermanburry
the 7 February 1778