Sir

Please to Acquaint their Lordships, this Morning was brought into this Port, a Bermudas Built Sloop, Named, the Active, .John Osborne late Master belonging to Charles Town South Carolina, Mounted with Six Carriage Guns, Two of Six Pounders, Two of Four, Two of three, four Swivels, and Mann'd with Fifteen Men, whereof five are Spanish, and Two Dutch, she was bound to Nantes or any Port in France, her Cargo Consists of Two Hundred and Eight whole and fifty Two half Barrels of Rice, Ten Hogsheads of Tobacco, and Fifteen Casks of Indico, she sailed from Charles Town the 21st of April and on the 2d May Following in the Latitude of 36°: 32' No and Longitude 51 °:41' W, Joseph Ring 2d Mate assisted with three other English Men, and the two Dutch Men, rose and took Possession of the Sloop, the late Master John Osborne and Joseph Price Chief Mate were Set on Shoar by a Pilot boat they met off Kingsale.²

Joseph Ring informs me three Briggs and a large ship Sailed on the same day they did, Bound for France, he also says they had a Commission on board from the Congress and Several Letters for Different People, which he gave into the hands of Mr Benjamin Heywood a Merchant in this Town, who says he has sent them away but to whome I Know not.

I beg leave to add I shall Use my Endeavour to Prevent the Cargo from being Plunder'd ー and am Sir [&c.]

Philip Stephens Esqr On His Majesty's Service

[Endorsed] 31 May direct him to send the Crew of this Vessel. except the 2d Mate & the 5 Seamen who assisted him in taking possession of her, by the first Tender to Plymo to be disposed of as Ld Shuldham shall direct

Acqt L Shuldham herewith & let him know they are to be sent to Mill prison having been taken in an Armed Vessel with a Cornn from the Congress