Honord Sir,
Little did I think when I left Bilboa, that my first letter would have been dated at this place but so uncertain is the the situation of a Person on board an arm'd Vessel, that he knows not the place he is destin'd for. When we left Bilboa our intention was to proceed immediately for Martinique, but fortunately we met with the following mentioned Vessels which we made Prizes of. viz:
Peace & Harmony—Capt, Kenedy from Lisbon to London with four hundred &Eighty Boxes of Oranges.
Betsey Capt. Murphy from the Streights, to Newry with Eight hundred Barrels of Raisons & upwards of an hundred tuns of Barilla an Article made use of to make sope.
Fanny—Capt St. Barb from Zant to London with One hundred & Eighty tuns of Currans & some return'd dry goods, which three Vessels we sent to Jackson Tracy & Tracy of Newberry Port. the Prisoners we put ashore on the Island of Madeira & then steerd for the streights Mouth with an intention of cruizing in the Streights, but about West So. West off Cadiz; we fell in with the Enterprize Tender to the Enterprize Frigate (mounting four carriage Guns & Six Swivels,) which we took & made a blaze of. this together with taking the Ship Hope Capt. Jones, a letter of Marque Mounting Sixteen, Six & four Pounders, loaded with near three hundred tuns of Currans from Zant to Bristol, obliged us to put into this port. We likewise took a large Brig loaded with Salt, but it being so near an English Frigate that we were oblig'd to leave her. At the time we took the Letter of Marque Ship we had no more than ten Guns upon deck. She gave us Chase thinking that we were an American Merchant Man & fir'd at us near two Miles distance, but We never returnd it till we could put our Hands upon the Muzzle of her Guns, we then gave it to her warmly wounded their Capt. slightly & likewise one Boy. She struck after receiving our two broad Sides, the Capt. perceiving that [we] were just going to rake him fore & aft. We took this Ship in sight of a Frigate1 & we were in hopes that by the darkeness of the Night, She had got off clear, but I am sorry to inform you that there are letters in Town from Gibralter, which mention that she was retaken & carried into that place.
We were chased by two English Frigates2 during our Cruize but we out sail'd them, from the time we left Bilboa till we arrivd here was just twenty days, we were two days of Madeira & several off the Streights Mouth. to these two places we sent our Prisoners. I would be glad you would tell my good Friends Messrs. Holkers & Co. that I am no further on my way to Martinque than here. The Cutter is now cleaning & I shall send her on a Cruize in a few days, I shall remain here myself until1 I receive a letter from you & Should be glad of your Advice & Orders, assoon as possible. My Compliments to Doctor Franklin & to all friends in general & Accept the Same from Honor'd Sir, Your friend [&c.]
[P.S.] There are at present seven small American Vessels in this Port & are narrowly watch'd.
