Boston 15 April 1778
Honble. Gentlemen,
I have the honour to transmit by this Opportunity the Schooners Accts. as compleat as Circumstances would admit, there being a Number of the Warren & Lynchs Men yet absent, which prevents my closing their Accounts at present.1 I've the pleasure to acquaint you of the Arrival of the Snow Robert,2 at Bedford,3 a prize to the Warren,4 laded with Flax Seed & Fustic the non appearance of the Ship5 makes me apprehensive she is retaken, the Cargo of the Robert is four puncheons, with three hundred & eighty six tierces of Flax Seed, & fifty Tons of Fustic, having nothing material I'm yours &c
J B—
LB, DLC, John Bradford Letter Books, vol. 2, p. 123. Addressed at top: "The honble Marine Board."
1. These are the final accounts of Washington's Fleet schooners that Gen. Washington first placed in operation in the fall of 1775. In June, 1776, Bradford, as Continental Agent, became responsible for all charges concerning the fitting out and provisioning of the remaining schooners as well as the final accounts of all prizes taken by Washington's Fleet schooners from June onward. Warren was captured on 26 Aug. 1776 by H.M. frigate Liverpool and her crew carried into Halifax. Lynch was taken off the French coast by H.M.S. Foudroyant on 9 May 1777 while sailing as a packet. The Continental Marine Committee on 30 May requested that Bradford turn over to the Continental Navy Board of the Eastern Department copies of his final accounts of Washington's Fleet schooners for settlement and adjustment by that board.
2. Snow Robert, James Hall, master.
3. Bedford in Dartmouth (now New Bedford), Mass.
4. Continental Navy frigate Warren.
5. Ship Neptune, Joseph Smallwood, master, which was recaptured by H.M. frigate Orpheus on 26 Mar. Howe's Prize List, 30 Oct. 1778, UkLPR, Adm. 1/488, fols. 486–87.
