Honble Sir

I received your Favour of the 31^st Jan^y and 6^th & 6^th February last,¹ and observe the Contents, am sorry it has not been in my power to have answered you before now the necessary requisitions made by your Honble Board naturally led me to make the necessary inquirys after the papers which were supposed to have been in the care of Captⁿ Thomas Herbert (who Captured the Portland Prises),² but, Sir after my most earnest desire of obtaining the necessary papers and every proof essential for the Condemnation of the Vessel. I find myself defeated,—

therefore it the matter must rest on the papers you have now in your Possession; and which I hope will be suff^t. to prove her British property at least amount to a presumption equal to our wishes and should I be happy enough to discover anything in future which may Beam a light on the affair you may be assured of my earliest transmittance of the same. 

You would, Sir, have been addressed in this Subject by a dif^t hand had there have been a Board of War in this State, but that not being the Case Your Address came, and under the Cognizance of His Excellency the Governor and his Honble Council, who have given me Instructions to answer your sundry favors which I shall think myself Honord in doing as Occasion requires from particular desire I have drawn on you, Favor M^r Henry R^d Harvey of Salem, New England for 333 Dollars which I flatter myself will meet due Honor having rec^d. ⅌ Value here, the Balance of the Nett proceeds of the Prise you'll please Remitt to the Honble the Members in Congress for the State of Virginia³ I am with due respect [&c.]