[Admiralty Office] 6th February 1776
Sir
I have communicated to my. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your Letter of yes~erdays date, inclosing one you received from the five New England Men who are the Officers that were taken in the armed Vessel and brought in the Tartar .
You having in your said Letter acquainted their Lordships that Captain [Archibald] Dickson, of the Greyhound not having any person-on board who had ever seen the Coast of America, and the Pilot of the aforesaid Vessel having offered his Services you ha!'.l ordered him to be discharged into her accordingly; Which their Lordships approve of, But they recommend it to you to order Captain Dickson to be exceedingly cautious as he approaches the Coast with respect to the confidence he puts in him. 2
As to the Surgeon of the said American Vessel who you represent is very desirous of entering into His Majesty's Service; It is their Lordships directions that you let them know in what capacity he is willing to serve. 3 I am &c
Geo. Jackson D:S:
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/551, 73-74.
2. William Ford, pilot of Washington's armed brig Washington.
3. John Manvide, French Canadian surgeon of the Washington.