Copy
Sir

I am sorry to inform you of the misfortune of my being taken by an American Privateer of 8 Guns, called the success, John Fletcher, Commander Cape de Pinas bearing SEE E 10 leagues, after having 22 days Passage from off the Harbour of S^t. Johns, where I called to see if there was any convoy ready to Sail for Spain or Portugal, but finding none ready to sail within ten days, proceeded without Convoy & made Cape ortegal the 26^th. Sept^r. and on the 28 inst^t. fell in with said Privateer which took me & all my Crew prisoners on board her and sent the William and Polly away for Bourdeaux as they informed me. 29^th. fell in with a Jerseyman with french colours and hailed from S^t. Peters bound to Rochelle and put me and Crew on board her to send me to France, but as it happened she was bound to Bilboa, and on my Arrival in the Bay of Bilboa saw the William and Polly not 2 leagues from me working into this Port where she now lays but believe she will not be suffered to sell her Cargoe there but be obliged to go to France or America. I had a Letter for You from Captain Spurier but they have taken it from me and am sorry to inform you of the ill success in the Fishery in your employ when I sailed from Oderin which was the 4^th. not above 170 Quintals p^r. Boat. We had on board 2280 Quintals. I am sorry to hear you have another Vessel bound to this Port for it is almost impossible to come clear as there is four Sail of Privateers betwixt this and Cape ortegal. There is no English Vessel arrived in this Port except sent in by the Americans. There was one Vessel taken off the Bar from N F land [Newfoundland] and brought in here,¹ belonging to Jersey and another from Malaga with Raisins & Wine and another English Brig from N.F.land was taken off here and sent to St. Sebastians yesterday but do not know where she belongs as there is no English men left on board either of them, they would not have known where the William & Polly did belong had not I come in myself, for they hailed from N F land. I have noted a Protest but have not got it filled up but shall send it next Post. I have nothing more to write at present but remain [&c.]