Gentlemen

I make no doubt but before this you have heard [from] Mr Con-ningham of the Missfortune of our being taken by an American Privatier who I unluckily fell in with in the Latd of 35 No & Longd 53 Wt after haveing been three weeks at Sea from St Vincents the Privatier was a Sloop mounting ten Carriage Guns 14 Swivells & had 85 men on Board,² Since wich I have arrived at the above port & your Vessell & Cargo Condemn'd & Sold as a prize to said Sloop, for my own part am at Present under no Confinement & am used Verry well But Cant has yett form any Judgment when I shall gett Clear has all Masters of Vesells are kept to be exchang'd as Prisioners & no Carteell as yett settled nor any ways likely to be. they prises come in here Dayley more or less not a petty seaport to the Northwd but has more or less but hope this will soon be put stop to. I send these few lines by a Capt Deane via Serranam wich he promises to forward to St Vincents Inclosed in a letter for Mr Barton you must [excuse] my not being Particular as We are Verry Cautious what we write I remain Gentlemen [&c.]