My Lord

At the request of our Correspondents Mess^rs. Pat M^cGuire & Sons of Dublin We beg Leave to trouble your Lordship with the following relation respecting the Capture by an American Privateer of the Ship Brothers—Cap^t. Nich^s. Kelly bound from Dublin to Oporto. which Vessell our said Correspondents had put under Portugeese Colours hoping thereby to avoid such Capture. By the Captains Protest at S^t. Andero & his Confirmation thereof here it appears that the Ship saild from Dublin on the 16^th. of Sep^r. last Laiden with Linnen's Butter &c. for Oporto & on the 24^th. day of said month fell in with a Large Cutter whom he endeavourd to avoid but the Weather becoming Calm the Cutter soon came up with her & fird a Gun under English Colours on which the Cap'. hoisted Portugeese Colours & brought to. when he was orderd from the Cutter to get his Boat out & come on board with his papers which he did. the papers he brought on Board were his Portugeese pass & his Clearance from the Custom house of Dublin as a Portugeese Ship which Clearance was Granted by the Commissioners of his Majesties Customs there. the Privateer (who proved to be the Revenge Commanded by G Cunningham) Detaind the Captain on board for about 7 hours during which time they searchd his Ship for English papers & not finding any dismissd Him, with orders to keep Company all night detaining on board the Cutter two of Cap^t. Kellys Crew who he believes informd against the Ship as being an English one. for on the 25^th between 7 & 8 OClock in the morning the Cutter (who stuck close all night) orderd Cap^t. Kelly to hoist his Boat out & send her on Board which he comply'd with & in a short time after they put 9 or 10 men in the Boat, Took possession of the Ship & orderd all the Ships Crew, on board the Cutter & by what Cap^t. Kelly could Learn they were directed to carry her into Nantes on the 28^th. Sepr. they met with a Spanish Brig from the Havannah to S^t. Andero on board of which they putt the Cap^t. Mate & passengers who were Landed at S^t. Andero on the 2^d. Oct^r. by advices receivd afterwards from Mess^rs. M^cGuire & Sons we find the Ship was sent into Coruna in Spain & there Claimd by part of the Crew as Portugeese property as this Claim cannot be maintaind (tho we are in hopes has servd as a detention of the Ship) till there Can be a proper one made in the support of which we request the favour of Your Lordships protection We have the honour to be [&c.]¹ Riches Court Lime Street

25^th. Nov^r. 1777—