No 2
My Lord

My last respects were of 21st Inst ー since which a list of the Dutch Ships intended this Season for the Whale Fishery, has been published, by which it appears they are to send 72 to Greenland, & 45 to Straits Davis; being 5 fewer to the former, & one more to the Latter place: than last year. I am informed that Two Frigates of War are to escort those which fish in Straits Davis, to protect them, as is said, from the Visits & insults of the Danes, who last year, seized & carried to Copenhagen Two Dutch Ships, & one belonging to Nantucket, under pretence of their having traded with the Natives, contrary to an excl!-Jsive priviledge from His Danish Majesty for that Trade to a Company of Merchants, extending in West Greenland, from Latitude 60, to 73 North. I have not yet been able to learn whether the Two Frigates destined for the Escorte, are to be of those belonging to the Sta:tes, or only Private Ships Armed by .th~ Merchants & Provided with Letters of Marque; if the former, it is most probable that the Object of their Mission is the Protection of the Dutch Ships in their fishery, but if the Latter, it is not quite impossible but they may serve for purposes less Justifiable; for it is certain that a quantity of Powder & Ammunition was last year Sent from Amsterdam to Straits Davis, & there put onboard of American Vessells sent to recieve them.

I know not whether the Nature of the Voyage admitts of Ships destined to Fish being Armed; but if that be practicable, it might be easy to grant Letters of Marque to some of our Ships bound to Straits Davis, to Seize such American Vessells as they should find Concerned in that illicit Trade. ー Some of the Ships for Straits Davis Sail from hence so early as the Last Week in February, but Certainly in the Course of March. I have the Honour to Remain with most perfect Respect My Lord [&c.]