[Extract]
p. Mermaid

Capt [John] Tolemach [Tollemache] of the Scorpion Sloop carried off a valuable black Pilot by way of Reprisal & for worse purposes perhaps ー for our refusing to return Some of his Seamen who had enlisted in the Regiments of Foot ー I was Singular in my opposition to that impolitic measure & expressly foretold the consequence ー but I added, that if I was Captain of the Man of War I would carry off the president of the Council of Safety ー . . .

By the Alertness of our Secret Committee & their Deputies about 15 or 20 Thousand Weight of Gun powder has been taken from on board the Magna Charte at Sea & Secured for Colony Service & a plan is now on our Table for Securing about as much more by a Masterly Stroke which will if we Succeed, please many & make every Body Share²ー