(No 5:)
Sir
It is with great pleasure I inclose You the within Letter from Captain James Jones of his Majesty's Sloop Beaver; to be communicated to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; relating to his having fallen in with; and taken the Rebels Armed Private Ship of War called the Oliver Cromwell. The Prize is not Yet arrived at Antigua; as Captain Jones is employed collecting the Trade from the Southern Carribbee Islands to conduct them to St Kitts, the place of General Rendezvous.
By Captain Jones's Account the Prize is an exceeding fine Ship; and if on inspection she will make a good twenty Gun Ship; I hope their Lordships will approve of my Purchasing her for that Service; and giving Captain Jones the Command for his good behaviour in the Action; and taking a Ship so superior in force to the Sloop He now Commands: If Captain Jones brings up the Commander and Officers of the Oliver Cromwell I purpose sending them home Prisoners in the Hind, to be disposed of as their Lordships may think proper. I shall also send Prisoners in the Hind the Commander and Pilot of a small Schooner Privateer called the Jenny taken the 24th May by his Majesty's Ship Seaford: The Commander deposed in his Examination that Vanbiber the Congress Agent at St Eustatia; put several Men on board His Schooner from other American Vessels (then lying in St: Eustatia Road) and sent him out to Sea. after a Sloop belonging to the Island of Antigua Loaded with Cotton &ca that had just left St. Eustatia: this matter He says was done publickly and in no wise hindered or forbid by the Governor of St Eustatia; and that in less than three Hours He came up with, and took as Prize the aforenamed Sloop Laden with Cotton &ca however both the Schooner and· her Prize were very soon afterwards-taken by his Majesty's Ship Seaford: I have also the pleasure to acquaint their Lordships that on the 27th May Captain Colpoys of the Seaford Stopped and brought into this Port, a Dutch Ship called the De Hoop from St Eustatia (said to be bound to Flushing) having on board 1750 Barrels of Gun powder, and three very large Casks of Gun Flints. The Master says he was bound to Europe; and was carrying the Gun powder &ca back there, as he could not sell it at St Eustatia tho' he had lain in the Road near Seven Months: He owned on his Examination that he had sold (during his Stay at St Eustatia) about 3000 pounds of Gun powder, and 750 Stand of Arms compleat, with Bayonets and Cartouch Boxes: The remainder of his Gun powder being 1750 Barrels now on Board, I think it most likely was to have been put on board Vessels at Sea; to have met him for that purpose; as that has been the practice lately (since their Ports have been closely watched by our Cruizers) with the Dutch and French, and what the more induces me to think it was so intended in the present case is that Captain Colpoys the Day before fell in with a small French Bark, off the Island Anagada quite Clean, and in Ballast; and appeared a fast Sailer, on being interrogated about their Business there, said they were on a party of pleasure and profit, Shooting and Fishing; for what they did not make use of, they Salted and Sold; this Answer was certainly evasive; and I think it much more probable they were on the look out for the Dutch Man to take out His Gunpowoder to carry to America.
The other Part of the De Hoop's Cargo consists of Sugar, Coffee, Cocoa; also Tobacco, Rice, Indigo and other American produce, whether that is sufficient Ground to condemn her under the Prohibiting Act appears uncertain; however I shall detain her at all events pursuant to their Lordships Orders of the 15th February last, until His Majesty's further pleasure is known I am Sir [&c.]
[Endorse'd] No 5 Antegoa 12 June 1777 V. Ad: Young Rx 31 July 1 Inclosure