[Extract]
Dear Sir,

Agreeable to your Desire I have seen M^r Moore with Cap^t. Prince who was a partner in the Vessell¹ that took the Brig,² the latter tells Me he saw the Register which was taken out at St Augustine on her Condemnation there, When she was capturd  she was loaded with Tar and Skins bound to England, all the Papers are lodged with ye: Register of the Marine Court, who is now on ye Southern Circuit; on his Return will thoroughly inform Myself of the Matter & let you know.

By Desire of Cap^t. Brown’s Mate I have agreed with four of his Seamen which he highly recommended to proceed on ye Voyage which the Ship might be order’d to perform at 40 Dollars pr Month; it prevents the necessity of hiring Day Men to overhaul y^e Rigging, and we shall have but three to Ship besides a Captain when Orders for her sailing arrive, I have so often mention’d the Difficulty of getting Seamen that it appears rather troublesome We have now in Harbour 2 fine Ships mounting 20 Guns each, fitted out at an enormous Expence— after being five Months fitting them they have dismantled & hauld them up only because they could not mann them,³ this is ye Case with sundry Merchant Vessells, but I hope better things of the Continental Ships— Cap^t. Skimmer⁴ we suppose, saild from Marblehead yesterday with a 104 Men on Board, if his Courage is tried I’m sure he will honour the American Colours— in addition to our naval Losses I’m not without my Fears the Boston may be added to ye Number, She had saild from hence 48 Days when the Three Friends left Nantz, but no Account of her Arrival,⁵ and what makes it more probable is the york Papers⁶ saying that ye Boston Frigate was taken & carried into Plimouth mentioning the Time, Place, & Ship, if its so, I hope M^r Adams⁷ will have an Interview with some of our american Friends in Parliament, unhappy it is, our naval affairs wear so gloomy an Aspect, pray God Brighten it, . . . yours &c