Sir,

In consequence of your Orders I Yesterday went on board the Tartar Transport William Bussel Master, and made Enquiry into the Cause of her having been taken by an American Privateer; and found from seperately examining the whole Crew that the Vessel to which she had surrendered was a small Schooner Privateer with only six Carriage Guns of two Pounders;* against which no Defense had been made, as the Master absolutely forbid his People firing the Guns; who were otherwise well disposed to have defended her.

On the Scheme being concerted for the Recovery of the Ship by the Mates* put on board from the Privateer, they consulted the Master, whither or not, he was willing to assist; who declared he would have no hand in it, being determined (as he expressed himself) to stand neuter. *When they first ordered the Course to be altered, the Prize Master said to Busse!, it was hard they should take the Vessel from him, he replied it was no act of his nor was he the least concerned in it. After the Mates had recovered the Vessel Busse! asked one of them what he supposed the Tartar might be worth, who replied from £700 to £800; he then said it was unfortunate for him that she had not been carried in by the Rebels as he should have made Money by it, the ship being ensured* for £1200. On the whole it appears to me that the Vessel was given up in a most cowardly or treacherous Manner, as a single Shot in all Probability would have occasioned the Privateer to have made sail from her.

These are the principal Heads I at that time collected on board the Tartar; but was since at the Attorney Generals when they were again deposed upon Oath. I am Sir [&c.]