S^r

We Arrived heare the 27^th. March On Our Small Cruize of 20 days made 6 prizes¹ but Unfortunate one of them retaken in Our Sight² And its reported Another being a Lettermark Ship is Carried into Gibralter by two english frigates³

one of Our prizes being an Arm^d Schooner fitted out of Gibralter to Cruize of[f] Cadiz she we burnt⁴ the other 3 sent for AMerica A Snow mounting 8 Carrige Guns Some Swivels[;] Loaded with Currants. A Brig with Brill & Raisins. the 3^d. with Oranges,⁵ the Lettermark Ship mounted 16 Carriage Guns of 6 pound Shott She we Orderd for tenariff—⁶

Our Vessell being by Appearances made privatt property is not Altogether so pleasing to the Crew espeacilly the Officers, Our privatt Agreament Runs in Such A manner that No encouragment is Giving for taking Armd Ships or if in Case of being Disabled Verry little to support heare after, when I received my Com [i.e., commission] from you had you not Assured me I should be in Contenentall Servise I would not have excepted of any privatt Com—as my intentions was and is to Serve the Country And those under me, I must beg the favour, you Will write me And you let me know who is the Owners of this Vessell or if she is publick, I received your Orders by m^r. hodge⁷ but at the same time I receive Letters from m^r. Lee Acquanting the publick owns the half And the Other half privatt.⁸ it Appears a Mystery to me. And I must Acquainte you Verry Unpleasing to those Concernd I am really tired and had it not been for the Cause Concernd I should not have taken such pains to have keep her Going, in Our privatt Agreament no provission is made in Case taken but in Continentall Service there is and as Such I do look I am in to I am Guilty of Something Contrary to the Laws or Orders of Congress—⁹