Boston. 20th June 1776
Gentlemen
I thought it my duty to acquaint you that your Colony Brig Defiance [Defence] is now in this port after being concernd in taking two ships & a Brig with 330 privates and officers, your worthy Commander is now sick at my house, where the best care shall be taken of him; his disorder was a violent Seizure of a Cold. he has had two physicians. They've given him an Emetic & taken some blood from him; this morng he is so much relievd, that I make no doubt he will be abroad tomorrow, if, in the Interim any thing should appear wch calls our cruisers out, I shall endeavor to get the brig amoung them to share in the Emolument,
If at any time I can Render your Colony any Services it will give me the highest pleasure being with great truth Gentlemen [&c.]
Jn Bradford Navy agent for the Collony mass
To the Honble Jona Trumbull Esqr & the Comm of Safety.
1. Trumbull Papers, IV, 121a-d, ConnSL.