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Gentlemen —

We confirm our last respects to you 1st Inst since have none of your Favors — 

We are yet without a reply from Lord Stormont, notwithstanding our frequent applications, and we last Post had advice from Nantes, that The American Frigate was sailed, she has left The Vine entirely unloaded in that River, under The care of a sort of an Agent of The Congress, named [Nathan] Rumsey now residing in Nantes, he is a lubberly stupid Fellow, incapable of doing any thing clever of himself, Therefore we hope he will not have capacity to ward any off hand stroke, we Therefore have given orders to our friend at Nantes, directly to seize her, and to Capt Pratchell if he can once get Possession of her to bring her immediately to Rochefort; we have likewise desired our Friend if he shd meet with any of her Cargoe exposed to Sale to lay seizure on it, and throw every difficulty possible in the way of The Purchasers & Sellers, but we are sorry to say if we are not assisted as we shd be by Lord Stormont or other People in power all our efforts and trouble will be quite vain, and really that Nobleman has hitherto acted with very great neglect in that affair ー We remain with sincere regard Gentlemen [&c.]

We solicited The Capt of the American Privateer to discharge The Married Men of The Vine's Crew which he did, Capt Pratchell don't mention whether they are at Nantes or gone off ー the young Men he carried off in the Privateer. ー 

[Endorsed] Copy of a Letter from Messrs Ranson & Delamain to Messrs G Knowsley & Co of Hull dated Cognac 4 febry 1777 Rd 24 febry