Portsmouth August 7th 1776
Gent
This will be handed you by Express Mr Greenleaf who is sent off to inform you of the arrival of the prize Ship Reward loaded with Sugars, Rum, Cotton &c lately belonging to London, to which place she was bound, from To[r]tola, taken by your armed Vessell the Hancock Captain [Wingate] Newman ー On the Ships appearing off the Harbour, I ordered Capt. [Thomas] Thompson immediately to send the Boats belonging to the Continental Frigate to give her Assistance and see her safe moored along side of the Wharf, wliicll was soon done. I shall give every necessary Assistance to Mr [William] Barton the Prize master till further Orders from you. I am with respect [&c.]
Jno Langdon
P S. Mr Mercer and Mr Moore, who I understand are part Owners where with me few days since, where they are now I know not ー2
1. John Langdon Letter Book, Captain J. G. M. Stone Private Collection, Annapolis.
2. See New-England Chronicle, August 15, 1776. According to the register, the Hancock, a brigantine, was owned by John Bayard, Joseph Dean & Co., Hazard, et al., eds., Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, I, 502.
