Gentlemen,

I wrote to you from Quimper Bay the 5^th: Curr^t: having discovered the small Pox breaking out on Joseph Ratcliff a Boy belonging to the Ship under my Command—whom I therefore left under the Care of Mons^r: Le Roy of that place.¹ —I desired you to reimburse Monsieur Le Roy for the necessary and Contingent expence and to have the Boy taken care of until he could return to the Service.—

I was in hopes that this Malady would have stopped here but am disap pointed.—It is now breaking out on others Viz^t. John Brown, Simon Staples, William Furness, & Solomon Hutchings, whom I therefore shall leave here at [blank] under the Care of Monsieur [blank] I desire you to reimburse this Gentleman for the Expence which may be incurred while these unhappy Men are under this disorder; and also to Supply their wants until they Can be restored to the Service.—I earnestly hope that this Calamity will stop here.—I cannot bear the thought of laying up the Ship tho' the full half of her Compliment have never been inoculated.—

These Expences you will please to carry either to the debit of the Commissioners or of Jon^a: Williams Esq^r: of Nantes—and should I have Occasion for any necessaries before the Wind permits my departure myself or my Officer M^r: Simpson who Countersigns this will write you a letter of Advice.—I am [&c.]