Dear Sir

it is with Regret I acquint you of my Repeated misfortune Owing to this unhapy warr.¹ I Sail'd from boston 14^th. Jan^y 1778 was Taken under bell Isle 14^th. February by Cap^t. Agnew of Guernsey,² with a pilot On board for burdeaux, Adressed to Mes^rs Moris & lee, unaware of any pravatear out from England, not withstanding I avoided every Vessell, thought my Self Save there but my Pilott Deseaved me telling me that M^r. Agnew was an Amerecan Prevatear as he him Self had been on board few Days before for that Reason was taken with a Packett for y^e Honorable Doct^r. Franklin as my Orders was not to Distroy it untill I was Certain of an Annemy. I have been able to Save these letters Only. One to you, One to your brother³ from your father One to Doct^r. Franklin & three French letters for Paris. I will Inclose you a Newes paper Such as I can gett. People are here very much Divided in Sentimants concerning this warr I have meet with very good frinds to the Amerecan Cause & to me in perticuler I am certain to be free in a few Days from y date here of—I Intend to get to france by way of Jersey if you1 be So Kind as to wright me there, it will be forwarded to me by my brother Edward Collas, Inclose yours to him I Should be Glad you'd procure me a birth in Some way or other as this unfortunate warr has all most put me at a Stand what to do next, be So Kind as to mantion my name to y worthy Doct^r. Franklin Acquaint him I had a letter to him from m^rs Micom⁴ which y^e uncooth prevateer men took from me not with Standing they beheaved them Selfs as well as they was taught, I was a prisonner in Guernsey 8 days Some time under Guard & Some time from Guard than my frinds endeavouring to help me all they could I am now at Playmouth Expect to be Soon in Jersey eather on a parole or at liberty where I have a number of good frind that has a great influance over y Navall officer, I will Refer you to y^e paper for Intellegence where you1 See Some Debates in parliment, tho not So many as I could wish to Send there is a great pres of Seamen at this place am imform they have brak true all Protection Severall Vessell put in Comision & Some Sail this day for portmouth. I have a Thousand thing on my mind but dare not mantion as this my pas Examination, to me unKnown, &^c

Please to geave my Compliments to your brother if matters Should be made up with America & old britain I have offers very advantageous from Guernsy to America & Jersey I have Receved Severall letters from my frind,—Intimating the Same tho I hope that America will never come to any terms but what are honorable & adventageous to her/for y^e Cruelty, & barbararious usage I have Seen I will never forgett this from your much obliged & humble Servant—