(Copy)

Four O'Clock in the Morning —

Whitehaven 26 June 1777

Sir

I send this by Express, for the immediate information of my Lords Commrs of the Admiralty that the Reprisal, Weeks Master of 18 Guns, the Lexington, Johnson of 16 Guns, and the Dolphin, Nicholson of 10 Guns; came round the West of Ireland, and upon the 19th instant took off the Mull of Cantire the Vessels as per List at foot hereof ² These Pirates proceeded down the South Channell, on monday last fully intending to cut the Dorset Yatch out of Dublin Harbour and destroy all the Ships in Pool beg but very luckily the Wind feinted and not knowing but there might be some Frigates in the Channell Service they durst not come to an anchor in Dublin Bay. a Vessel belonging to me called the Jason, bound to Russia they put such Materials as they took out of the Ships into, and sent her to France, and off Tuskar gave their Prisoners the Crawford and sent them to this Port where she arrived this morning at three o'Clock, Captain Hutchinson informs me that they had [hopes] of falling in with the Linnen Ships bound from Dublin; but having missed them they were returning to France to get a supply of People, He says there are a great many French Landsmen on board; that they sail remarkably fast the Reprisalis a Ship with a Figure Head and Brightsides, the Lexington a Brig and the Dolphinis a Folkstone Cutter sold from Dover — Captain Hutchinson also informs me that there are several others fitting out; and that their Lordships may depend they intend to cruize in the North Channel and a number of them will attend upon the Baltick Trade; as he discovered by one of the Officers; that a few Hempships would be of considerable consequence to them I presume to exchange in France for Rigging and Sails — He says they are victualled for Six Months but have not any great quantity of Water, but that, they said they could get readily, on the Irish Coast. They ordered all their Prizes for Nantz, and would call there themselves or at L'orient just to get the Men they sent in the Prizes on board again I shall draw to the Post Mistress for the Charge of this Express and I beg Sir you'l excuse my incorrectness as I am sollicitous to loose no time in transmitting this very disagreeable account being called out of Bed. I am in all duty to their Lordships Sir [&c.]

P:S: Capt Hutchinson informs me too that 13 Sail of Stout Vessels are fitting under the American Flag to cruize against our Trade and would be ready in a short time.

The orders from Dr Franklyn was to sink, burn and destroy all he met.