Gentlemen,

I received two of yours of the 25th by Mr Defrancy who I am sorry Came so late, as our Sales were compleat before his Arrival, I have strictly attended to your proposals & shall give you as full an Answer as in my power

as to Cruizing in the Sound for the Baltick Ships I am afraid that will not do, as neither me nor my officers are acquainted wth those Sea's, nor have we any proper Charts for those Sea's. Another ob:ection is, the Certainty of being Soon discovered, as there is such Numbers of Vessels passing and repassing constantly, the Consequences of wch would be dangerous, as the Passage in & out are Narrow & we should be either blocked . in or taken but if you should think proper to order us on this Expedition I think it would be highly Necessary to procure us Admittance & protection in some of the principal Ports in those Sea's, If this Cannot be done, I think it would not be Advisable to venture there

The Cruize on the coast of Guineay I think much Safer and better, but there is Such Difficultes Attending it, as cannot be got over, Our ship will not carry Water & provision enough for to Cruize, as it will be Necessary to take 4 Months Water & provisions for that Cruize, and we Cannot take more than 2 Months Water & provisions ー If you should purchase the Marepaus [Maurepas], I think this Cruize would then be Advantageous as the Ships [of] Warr are all Small that is on that Coast & the Guineay Men tho' they have all more or less Guns are not in a Condition to fight, as their Men are Generally very Sickly going off the Coast.

I join with you in Sentiments in regard to Cruizing on this Coast as there is very little prospect of any More Success here, I am Informed by the officers belonging to two French Ships [of] Warr, that arrived two days ago from a Cruize, that there is three British Ships [of] Warr Cruizing, between Cape Finnister and Ushant, one of 64 Guns one of 50, and one of 32 Guns, two of which they Saw & was told there was Another ー The French Ships goes out again on a Cruize to Day.

I think if a very fast Sailing Cutter could be got & Stationed at Dunkirk they might soon make plenty Prizes by running into the Dqwns and Cutting Ships out from there, provided they would be received & protected in that port until it Suited you to Send them off for America or Elsewhere, And take the liberty to recommend Capt Hinson [Joseph Hynson] for that Service, as he is a Stout brave Man & I think well qualified for Such an Enterprize,

I am very glad to hear you intend to provide for Capt [Samuel] Nicholson, as I think him deserving yr Confidence and make no Doubt he will Merrit your Esteem in any Station you may think proper to place him. If you purchase the Marepaus and I am appointed to Command her, I know no Obstacle in Capt Nicholsons way, as my Officers would Chuse to Continue with me & of Course there will be room for him in the Reprisal. I think you may get the Marepaus £12,000 Sterg She is a Very fine Ship & has the Charector of a Very fast Sailor I would recommend the purchase if Convenient.

whatever may be your determination on those hints mentioned in your last I shall Chearfully Comply with any orders from you if irt my power, the Officers did not Sign a Written parole, only give thier Word of Honour, as I have wrote you fully on this head, shall only Say they are all discharged. This comes by Mr Defrancy who returns emeadiately to Paris as you Trusted him I think I may safely do the Same from Gentlemen [&c.]

P.S. I shall take Care not let any more Officers on Shore at all. L.W.