Sir

The above is copy of my last¹ & I have now the pleasure to acquaint you of the Arrival of Cap^t. Parker in the oliver Cromwell & Cap^t. Smedley in the Defence—² By the former We received the favour of your Letter of the 10^th March,³ and you may rely on our care in the execution of your orders— The Indigo shall be ready as soon as he can take it onboard which will we hope be in 8 or 10 days—We shall supply whatever is Necessary for the repairs of both vessels, but are sorry you placed no funds in our hands to reimburse us as it will be very difficult to pass bills on the Northward should we want to draw—We would therefore recommend your Tender of sufficient sum to be allways ready in future—Continental Loan office Certificates will not do—

Captains Parker & Smedley have fortunately on their Cruize made prize of two Ships belonging to & bound from Bristol to S^t Kitts & Jamaica and ordered them to New England—The one is called the Kepple Cap^t Browne mounting 18 guns⁴ the other the Cyrus Cap^t Dick of 16 guns—⁵ They were both well man'd & made a stout resistance—The oliver Cromwell had her Cap^t of Marins⁶ killed & a few others—The wounded shall be properly taken care of—I hear but of two. 

The Smallpox broke out unfortunately on board the Defence soon after she left Boston & although they have been free from it for near a month, she is obliged to perform quarantine—There is no time fixed but hope in 8 or 10 days that she will be allowed to come up to Town—The oliver Cromwell will want a good deal of Ship Bread which is very scarce & dear here—What she took in at Boston has proved very bad—We have not heard whether Cap^t Smedley has turned out—We are with great regard Sir [&c.]