The following is the copy of a letter found on board a brigantine bound from Newfoundland to Bilboa. She had been taken by an armed vessel from New-England, mounting 24 guns, called the Portsmouth: and was retaken upon this coast, on her way to Piscataqua, by an armed vessel fitted out from this port by Sir George Collier, commanding the King's ships on this station, and brought in here last Saturday.
Ship Portsmouth, Lat. 27. 40. N. Long. 16. W.1 November 18, 1777.
SIR,
I Take this opportunity per Mr. Pearce, to acquaint you, that I left the river of Bourdeaux the 11th instant, in company with Capt. Martin of the schooner Swallow of and for Maryland; we soon after fell in with, and took the brig Emperor of Germany, from Cork to Bourdeaux, laden with beef and butter, and as the ports of France are shut against American prizes, and she being leaky, ordered her to St. Andrio in Spain, and when sold, the money from the net sales to be remitted to Messrs. S. and J. H. Delap at Bourdeaux, and have likewise wrote them to draw for the same. N. B. As Martin was in company and has a commission, he claim'd one quarter part, and put on board her the same number of men that I did. On the 13th instant I fell in with this brig the George from Newfoundland to Bilboa, which I have ordered to Piscataqua. I now propose cruizing between the Island of Madeira and the West-Indies, as the ship is not fit to cruize on the coast of Europe at this season of the year, and the ports of France being shut against us, should have too great a distance to send prizes to America: I have wrote you by three opportunities before this, in all of which I acquainted you with my ill success in my last cruize, having taken but one vessel, the brig Mercury from Newfoundland to Barcelona, with 3000 quintals offish, which I ordered to Bourdeaux, but on her arrival there, she was not allowed to tarry; Mr. Delap therefore sent her to Bilboa, where she was selling her cargo when I left Bourdeaux; I also acquainted you in former letters of the difficulties I met with to procure the liberty to go up the river to clean the ship, and procure stores, &c. after my arrival and as soon as the ship was righted and ballast on board again, I was ordered out of the river, and strictly forbid taking on board any warlike stores or French seamen, and a frigate is kept at the river'smouth for the purpose of over-halling all outward bound vessels. I am surprized the many people who have gone from France to America, have represented the French as being friendly inclined to us, for I am fully assured it is only where they are immediately benefited: as to a war between France and Great-Britain I see no prospect for my own part, and Mr. Delap assured me he saw none, but on the contrary, France is much afraid of Great-Britain, and are apt to think the breach between Great-Britain and the Colonies will be made up this winter, I have had it hinted to me by the first people in Bourdeaux; I can add nothing more at present, but hope our present cruize may be successful, which has been my greatest uneasiness heretofore, as a man's character of late days seems to depend and be determined by his good or ill success. From, Sir, your most obedient, and very humble servant to command,
To the Hon. John Langdon, Esq; Portsmouth, New-Hampshire.
(A COPY)
