Copy.
Sir

The cause of the Ship the Twee Gebroeders Hendrick Terhorst Master came on this day for adjudication: The Judge upon summing up the evidence, after observing that this Ship was bound from Rotterdam to the Dutch settlement of St Eustatia, called upon me to declare; whether my Lords Commissioners were willing to purchase the Gunpowder Arms, and Ammunition on board: By the advice of their Lordships Council (consisting of His Majts Advocate, the Advocate of the Admiralty & Dr Wynn) I declared that their Lordships were ready to purchase the same at a fair price; the Judge then called upon the Claimant for the answer, whether he would accept my proposal; the consequence of which was, the Agent of the Owners desired the cause might be adjourned till he could hear from his Principals; the cause was accordingly adjourned to the 12th of next month ー The Agent pressed to know whether if the Claim.ant consented to sell the same, I would undertake to pay the damages & expences the Ship & Cargo have received by their seizure & detention, but this I would not presume to do, without previously submitting the same to their Lordships for their consideration and directions which you will be pleased to signify to me

Upon the whole as the great & indeed the sole object in this cause was to prevent the Gunpowder & other stores on board reaching St Eustatia. and as that end will be obtained by obliging the Claimant to sell the same, I hope their Lordships will approve of my conduct, which not only had the sanction of their Council, but I have reason to believe was much in conformity to the sentiments of the Court I am Sir [&c.]