Thetis River Clyde 24th April 1778—
Sir
The Transports not arriving, the enclosed intelligence of an American Privateer1 having appeared on this Coast— hope my Lords Commissioners will approve of my proceeding to Sea with his Majesty’s Ship—2 being apprehensive if the intelligence is true that some of the Transports may be taken— Should there be an opportunity whilst I am out shall take care to acquaint the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland3 that his Majesty’s Ship is at Sea in consequence of the enclosed intelligence— The Lord Provost of Glasgow4 sends me information of this Privateer which he received by Express from Whitehaven—
I am informd the Boston5 is under orders for the River Clyde— should we meet shall give her orders agreeable to the intelligence received or may receive hereafter— The Service which my Lords Commissioners have already ordered me upon will not be retarded by his Majesty’s Ship being out for a short time— I am [&c.]
J. Gell
Since the above was wrote an Express is arrived which gives intelligence of the Privateer having plundered the House of Lord Selkirk at St Mary Isle near Kirkubright6
UkLPR, Adm. 1/1838, sec. 6, no. 5. Addressed at foot: “Philip Stephens Esqr.” Notation by Stephens on reverse: “4 May/Own rect &/approve.”
1. Continental Navy ship Ranger, Capt. John Paul Jones, commander. The “enclosed intelligence” was a letter from James Logan and Patrick McIntire, the customs officers at Stranraer, Scotland, to the Collector and Comptroller of the Port of Glasgow dated 20 Apr. reporting that a “three-masted ship, supposed to be an American Privateer of considerable force” had been observed in their district. UkLPR, Adm. 1/1838, sec. 6.
2. H.M. frigate Thetis.
3. John Hobart, 2nd Earl of Buckinghamshire.
4. Robert Donald
5. H.M. frigate Boston, Capt. William Duddingston, commander.
6. Dunbar Hamilton, 4th Earl of Selkirk, whose estate was near Kirkcudbright.