Antelope Jamaica February 5th 1776
[Extract]
Sir/. I have received the Duplicates of the four Letters, dated the 5th October 75, and inclose the Duplicate of one, which I wrote, by the last Pacquet.
I beg leave to acquaint their Lordships, that since my last, I've been Served, with Seven more Writs of Habeas Corpus, which I complyed with, for the Reasons, which I assigned in my last Letter, and inclose attested Copies, of the Writs, with the Affidavits & Petitions; for their being Granted, which I hope, their Lordships will approve ー
I further beg leave to acquaint their Lordships, that the Squirrel, & Maidstone, have sent in, each of them, an American Schooner, Loaded with French produce ー The Squirrels Prize, was taken with French Papers, but on Captain [Stair] Douglas's, finding the Mate, & Three of the Seamen, to be English Subjects, he detained the Vessel, and examined the People, when the Mate, acknowledged her, to be belonging to Philadelphia, and that the Master, had secreted; the English Papers, on which confession; Captain Douglas, sent her into Port Royal, and upon enquiry I find that there is some Gentlemen, in this Island, who came Passengers, in this very Vessel from Philadelphia, to Cape Nichola, & know her to be the property; of a Merchant in Philadelphia ー I have therefore, detained her, & shall order, strict search to be made; for the English Papers, which I have not the least doubt, but I shall be able to find ー But if I should not, theirs sufficient proof, of her being an American Vessel, for her Condemnation.
The Maidstones was from Cape Nichola, bound to the Rebellious Collonies ー I beg leave; to acquaint their Lordships, that I have received private Intelligence, from Hispaniola, that the French, are still making every Preparation for War, that they had already arrived, a Reinforcement of 6,000 Troops, with Two Frigates of 20 Guns each, the Troops, they have quarter'd at Cape Francois, Cape Nichola, & Port au Prince. I am likewise inform'd, that the same Warlike Preparations are making, at Martinac & Guadalupe, where they have; sent great Quantities of Arms, & Ammunition ー
With regard to the Dissposition of His Majestys Ships & Vessels, under my Command, I beg leave to acquaint their Lordships, that the Squirrel, & Maidstone, still remain on their Cruize, but that I expect them in, in a few Days, as their provisions, are near expended the Maidstone, I shall order to complete again, as soon as possible, and send her out, But as the Squirrel has been Fourteen Months of[f] the Ground, & very Foul & Leaky, I shall get her Careen'd, But as I think the Station, should not be left, without some Ship, I have given Captain [William] Judd, of the Antelope, orders to hold himself in readyness; to Sail, as soon, as the Squirrel arrives, when I propose, hoisting my Flag, on board of herAnd as the time of Year, is not yet come, for the Florida's returning to Pensacola, I shall send her out; with the Antelope, all which, I hope, will meet, with their Lordships approbation ー I am, with respect Sir [&c.]