Coppy of a Letter sent to the Honble. Navy Board East. Depertt. Boston by Lieut. Hezekiah Welch, who goes prize Master of the Ship Martha, with the Coppy of his Orders.—
Gentn.
On Board the Boston Frigate at Sea March 11th. 1778.—
In the Lattd. of 44d.00m. No. Long: of 16d...30m. West.—
These will be handed your Honours by Mr. Welch my 3d Lieut. informing your Honours of my present Situation, which is happy, I have met with many Troubles, since left Boston, but providence conducted safe through all—Gods name be praised.—The Prize Ship Martha, a Letter marque from London Capt. Peter Mc.Intouch1 I took yesterday afternoon, but could not dispatch her before, the wind so high & Sea was so dangerous. Gentn. I hope to pay for the Boston—as I told your Honours before sailing I am but poorly man'd to my Sorrow, I dare not attact a 20 Gun Ship but I hope with Gods Blessing it will not be so during the Cruize.—The Capt. of the Ship distroyd his papers, but I have since assertained the Value of her Cargo, 84000 Sterlg. Cost. the Capt. & Mate tells me of an Article of Tea 142 Chests & a Quantity of Bale Goods, but no Invoice. When I came down to the Ship I desired his Honour2 to go below as I saw his Lower Deck Ports open, guns run out, prepared for Action not Discovering what I was coming head to him, but he told me no he would Chuse to stand the Deck, Mr. Vernon likewise. I then up Courses hailed before he could possibly discover me, he then bore away fireing a broad side carried away my Mizen yard & done no other Damage. the Gentn. on Deck did not Change their Countenance. by this Time I came close on Board he discovered me, and did not think himself able to get his Colours down soon enough, but horridly Scared, by these means I took her without any more Resistance & better for him it was so, and myself too.—Gentn. pray excuse my sending a Lieut. my Prize Master, being so valuable, I thought it a great duty incumber'd by so doing—This from Your most Obedient Humble. Servt.
Above is the orders.—3
