Sir
I have the honor to inform you that on my passage from America to this place I retook the Ship Mackerel employ'd in His Majestys Service, and loaded with provissions for the Army at New York, on examining the prisoners I found them to be all subjects of France except one who said he was born in america I have not been able to procure any comission, or other information excepting that they had saild in a Vessel Called the Notre Dame 2 from Nantz bound to Charlestown South Carolina and that they had met his Majestys transport on the high Sea, engaged and took her; which information noi being satisfactory to me I have confined the .crew as Pyrates for Your examination and have the honor to be with the highest esteem Sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] (No 7.) Letter from the Honble Captn George Keith Elphinstone of the Perseus to Vice Adml Young; that he had retaken the Ship Mackarel, and found the Prisoners to be all Subjects of France &ca
[Admiralty endorsement] In V. A. Young's Letter Dated 9 March 1777
