Painbouef May the 23d 1777
Gentlemen
I have the Pleasure of Informing yours Honours By Capt Fisk of the Massachusetts
That on the first Instant I Arived safe in this Port after Taking twelve Sail of Englis Vessels Seven of which I Dispachd for Boston2 Burnt three gave one smal Brigg to our Prisners 3 and one Retaken by the Futereonge [Foudroyant] which Chast us fore Glasses and finding she Could not Cume up with us she gave Chase to our Prize and toock hur in our sight ー I have Cleand & Refited my Vessel and Taken in forty Tons of War like Stores and have bin wating for a wind to go out this fore days ー Capt Fisk being Short of Provisions I have Supplied him with foreteen Barels of Park and Eleven of Beef and have got a Suffisantse for my Vessel Left I Remain Gentlemen [&c.]
John Clouston
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 152,220, Board of War Letters, 1776-1777.
2. Two of these, the sloop William and Barbara taken April 15 and brigantine Two Betsys taken April 23, were retaken; the sloop, on May 29, by H.M. Sloop Albany, and the brigantine, on June 5, by H.M.S. Mermaid, N. S. Arch., vol. 495, Vice Admiralty Register, vol. 5, 1769-1777. Three of the prizes ー brigs Penelope, Britannia and Phoebe, arrived safely at Boston, lndependent Chronicle, Boston, June 5 and July 10, 1777.
3. Dispatch arrived at Cork April 28 with nineteen of Clouston's prisoners.