My Lord

I had the Honor of writing your Excellency last Post to inform you of the taking the Swallow Packet, (lately under my Command) by the Reprisal an Arm'd Ship belonging to the American Congress, at the same time Mr [John] Hunter ² inform'd your Excellency of the method I had taken to claim my Crew and that of the Merchant Ships, since which the Commissary has desired to have my demand in writing and has orderd the People to be set at Liberty to morrow morning on condition the[y] set out directly for St Malo to get a Passage for England under the conduct of my Officers, I shall supply the Crews belonging to the Merchant Ships with money to carry them there, as every method is taken to seduce them to enter for the Americans I find the Packet and Merchant Ships are not enter'd here as Prizes, but Vessells Wind bound belonging to Capt Wickes, Mr Hunter sat out this morning for Paris. I hope your Excellency will approve of the method I have taken to release his Majesties faithful Subjects. I have the Honor to be My Lord [&c.]