Gentlemen,

I left Nantz a Wednesday Evning to Come here & by a letter from you and one from Capt Johnston [Henry Johnson] I find he Arrived at Nantz soon after my departure I Returned an Answer to Captain Johnston and desired him to Come imeadiately and Join me, but have Since received a possitive order from the Commissary of this port to depart the port in 24 hours, in Consequence of those orders Write by this Evenings post desireing Capt Johnston to Join me at St Auzear [St. Nazaire], as Soon as possible As Capt Nicholson is not yet ready I think it will be best place to Meet and depart from, you may depend on my Utmost attentions to your orders & Make no doubt We shall be able to give Satisfaction if we are not taken There is three Brittish Ships War Cruizing in the Bay, which has been seen last Monday Evning A prize Sloop Arrived here yesterday, taken by Capt Thompson of the Brig Rising States from Boston, this was the third Prize taken by her, Since her departure from America, this Prize is from Lisbon bound to London, loaded with Fruit & Wine ² I shall leave this port to Morrow or Next day if the Wind & Weather permits and go imeadiately for St Auzear, where I will inform you of my further Proceedings, from Gentlemen [&c.]