Sir

I receiv'd yours of the 1st instant, and observe the Contents and as to Captn Hacker, or Mr [Philip] Brown, if they made you any Promise they Should in honour Stand to it — I have told the Officers in the Fleet that the Kings Officers taken had not so much right to the Goods they might have onboard, as Men in the Merchant Service who have no hand in the Quarrel -and as to private Propertys not being Confiscated I think you are mistaken for the most of the Ships and Cargoes that has been taken and Condemn'd have been altogether private Property, although we have generally given the Masters their private Adventures in Order to Support and carry them home in Character — and on the whole I am willing that you Should have as much of your property as Mr Bradford the Continental Agent, and the Captors will agree to give you — But as I yet do not know what property you had onboard & for what I at present can tell, the greatest part of the Loading may be your property & in that Case it might be too much to give away — I am Sir [&c.]