[Extract]

The Account you give of the Vessels at Beverley, being unfit for Service, surprizes me prodigiously; I was taught to believe very differently of the Ship Jenny, by Commodore [John] Manley, and Captain [William] Bartlett, who you mention to have given you their Opinion of them. The Brigantine from Antigua² was also thought very fit to arm.

A Letter is just come to my Hands from Winthrop Sargent Esqr. Agent for the Navy at Gloucester; He says there are some Women and Children whom he is obliged to maintain at the Continl. Expense; also a Number of Men taken in some of the last Prizes. You will please to examine into their Situation; If Prisoners of War they should be sent into some Inland Place and confined; If Tories, the General Court are the proper Persons to take Cognizance of them.

I see by the public Prints, that the Prizes at Beverly are to be sold the 20th Inst: As by the Obstructions put on Commerce in General, there may appear but few Purchasers for the Vessels; of Course, they may be sold vastly under their Value, I think you had best have some Persons in whom you can confide, present at the Sale, with Power to purchase the large Ship, and the Brig from Antigua, if he finds them going very much under their Value. It is not above two or three Years since the Ship cost £ 3,000 Sterlg. She is to be sure something worse for the Wear, & I believe is not Remarkably well found at present, as she has been pillaged for the Use of our armed Vessels, which must make a considerable Abatement of her Value. The Brigantine is, I suppose, in the same Predicament; but a good Judge will easily know their Value.

Wm. Watson Esqr, of Plymouth, advises that the Prizes Norfolk and happy Return, are condemn'd; and desires I would appoint a Day for Sale of them, and their Cargoes: This you will please to do, letting them be advertised in the Papers, at least a Fortnight before the Sale.