Captain William C. Finch, R.N., to Philip Stephens, No. 2, October 4, 1777

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Transcription

Camel at Spithead 4^th October 1777

Sir

I beg you will acquaint the Lords Comm^rs. of the Admiralty, that I have got on Board His Majestys Ship under my Command the person of John Welch, late Commander of the Musketo Sloop a piratical Vessell,¹ fitted out by His Majestys rebellious subjects, taken by His Majestys Ship Ariadne, & senton Board by order of Capt. Pringle. We have also four Rebel prisoners lately belonging to the Oliver Cromwell rece'd on Board from His Majestys Sloop Cygnett, at the request of Lord Macartney. I am [&c.]

W. C. Finch

L, UkLPR, ADM 1/1790/3/13; DLC transcript. Addressed at foot of page: “To Philip Stephens Esq^r.” Endorsed: “6 Octo S^r Thom Pye to take the proper measures for having them committed to Forton Prison.” The prisoners were committed to Forton Prison on 13 Oct. 1777. Forton Prison List, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 30 (1879): 36-39.

1. John Welsh commanded the armed sloop Marangoin, tender to Musquito, Virginia Navy brig, John Harris, commander. For the capture, see NDAR 9: 114, 122. See also Captain John Welsh to Benjamin Franklin, 20 Oct. 1777, below.

Document Information

Date

1777 October 4

Volume

Volume 10

Series

European Theatre from October 1, 1777, to December 31, 1777