(Copy
Sir.

I have made so bold to send you these few lines to acquaint you with our misfortune of being taken by an American on the first day of February, called the Reprisal of 16 Guns and 135 Men, Commanded by one Weeks [Lambert Wickes], and was sent here to this port where we have got Subsistance to carry us to St Malo and the English Broker tells me that you may recover the Vessell & Cargo by sending to the English Ambassador at Paris. have sent this Letter to you because our Captain is not arrived_ as yet for he was Carried on board the Privateer with 3 of the People, & I with the other 3 People was left on hoard & brought here and turn'd about our Business so I think myself in duty bound to acquaint you with the misfortune, as a Letter will Come to London two days before it will to Poole, so I thought proper to c1cquaint you as qeing the nighest Merchant. The Brokers Name is Praud at L'Orient, so I beg leave to Conclude and remain [&c.]

I shall be glad to receive a Letter from You at Saint Malo's to be left to the Commissarys, to know how to come to Poole without being Imprest ー We was taken in the Latd 4 7D . . 31 M & Longd 8D . . 48M by my reckoning ー 

[Endorsed] address'd to Mr Geo Sibley No 24 Little Trinity Lane London