Boston 25th Sept 1777
Honble Sirs,
I've the Pleasure to acquaint you with the Arrival of the Brig Industrious Bee from the Streights loaded with Salt sent in by the Schooner Lee Capt John Skimmer who with his Crew were left well the 29th Ultimo thirty leagues to the Eastward of the Banks of Newfoundland the Brig belong'd to Pool is a fine Vessell, sails remarkably fast & has been off the Stocks but ten Months she is 1 hundred & sixty Tons & has on Board by the Capt's Account, upwards of 500 hhds of La Malt Salt. I hope this will soon be follow'd by a West India Ship, as Capt Skimmer design'd leaving that Station two Days after the prize left him to heave himself in the Way of the W India Fleet one of which was sent in yesterday by a privateer of this place & a second taken by the same Vessell not yet arriv'd.2 The Ranger only waits for a Wind being ready for the Sea, the Boston has not yet discharg'd her Ballast, I beg leave to refer the honble Board to Mr Morris Letter for Intelligence Yours &c
J B
1. John Bradford Letter Books, vol. 2, 90-91, LC.
2. Massachusetts privateer brigantine General Washington, William Rogers, took brig Proudfoot with a cargo of sugar and schooner Yarminaren carrying rum, Independent Chronicle, Boston, September 25, 1777, and October 9, 1777.