Gentlemen

Yours of 18t^h. Ult. came duly to hand, & in compliance therewith I send the Schooner Betsey by Cap^t. Mayhew—at present I take opportunity to transmit you in­closed the papers that were committed to me, that concern the said Schooner; there yet remains in the hands of Cap^t. Paul Reeds family a memorandum book found on board, the property of Philip Goldthwait a prisoner taken in her, in which there is an account of transactions from the time said Goldthwait was put on board her by the Rainbow to the time she fell into Cap^t. Reeds hands—but it is not in my posses­sion—& chiefly concerns said Goldthwait only:

By the best information I can obtain she was taken by the Reprisal about three weeks after she was in the service of his Brittanick Majesty¹—she  was on  a cruize as a Spy to enquire after your Brig^t.—& a mast ship then at Wiscasset²—& the situation of Townsend harbour &c, Cap^t. Reed fell in with her & took her near S^t. Georges³ on Saturday the 22d. of Aug^t:—the men soon owned their characters & business—& were sent hither by a certain Capt. Bradford in their way to the board of war to which I was about forwarding them when unluckily they fell again into the hands of the Rain­bow that just at that time came into this harbour; however in lieu of the eight pris­oners taken in her, we received others in exchange—

I believe she was not into any British port whilst in the enemy's hands; of the cir­cumstances of her being taken by the enemy I cannot inform you—but after Cap^t. Reed took her she was carried into St. Georges, Medumcook,⁴ Broadbay, & Townsend where she now lies,

Inclosed youll find an inventory of the articles found on board, distinguishing such as the Reprisal has on board, from the remainder which I send you in the Schooner.

Also an account of my cost & trouble with the vessel—I have put some cord wood on board, for which I have taken Cap^t. Mayhew's order on you,

I have no doubts but you will transact with regard to the prosecution in the mar­itime court so as shall leave Cap^t. Reed & his men (for whom I am attorney) no rea­son to complain; I am [&c.]

Oct^r. 8^th.  1777