(No. 1:)
Sir
Please to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Trade from England under the Protection of the Eolus [Aeolus] Frigate and Sylph Sloop arrived safe at Barbado's the 12th April; with only one Vessel Missing; Captain [Christopher] Atkins falling in with the Seaford Cruizing to Windward of Barbados, ordered Captain [John] Colpoys to conduct the Trade bound to the Southern Charribbe Islands, vizt Tobago, Grenada and St Vincents; the Eolus passed this Island in her way to Jamaica the 18th April, having in Company the Sylph Sloop, with the Trade for Antigua, Montserrat, St Kitts &ca
By Captain [James Richard] Dacres of the Sylph Sloop, I received their Lordships Orders to purchase two Vessels for his Majesty's Service, to be employed under my Command; capable of carrying at least 12 Guns and 90 Men each; and in all respects. to be fitted and Officered as Sloops of War: please to acquaint their Lordships, I will use my utmost Endeavours to comply with their Directions, and am in hopes I shall soon be able to accomplish the same: A French Ship Loaded with all kinds of Military Stores for the use of the Rebels in North America, was taken the 5th April last by Captain Colpoys of the Seaford; and is represented to me very fitt for the Service; being almost New, a fast Sailor, and Capable to carry 16 Guns. She was carried into Dominica to be tried; but I have Directed her to be sent here the Moment she is Condemned: to be Surveyed and Valued: and I have no doubt I shall soon be able to procure another equally fit for the Service. I purpose giving the Command of them to Lieutenants [William] Young and [William] Swiney now first and second Lieutenants of the Portland, which I hope their Lordships will approve. In respect to the manning them I shall apply to the respective Governors for Assistance but am apprehensive I shall meet some Difficulties therein, the Licentious Mode of self appointed Privateers still continuing amongst the Islands, and I am sorry to add it is not in my power to put an intire Stop thereto, without the assistance of the Governors and Legislatures of tlie respective Islands; which I have not hitherto had; but entertain hopes Mr Burt the new Governor of the Leeward Charribbe Islands who arrived here with the last Convoy; will Endeavour to do it within his Government; where the Evil first began; After which I do not think it will be very Difficult to Suppress them at the other Islands; I must again assure their Lordships the practice has proved highly prejudicial to His Majesty's Service, by encouraging the Seamen to Desert both from the King's Ships and the Transports; and they can in no shape be of the least advantage or Defence to any of the Islands; being a parcel of small Vessels and Pilot Boats, Armed for the most part only with Swivels and almost as defenceless as the Vessels they take, nor do they at all Jessen the Number of the Rebels Privateers. I am Sir [&c.]
P:S: The inclosed Memo is said to be the principal Particulars of the Loading on board the Seaford's Prize La Seine.2