18h December 1776
Sir
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having received a Petition from George Murray and others, late belonging to the Nancy of London John Cowen Master, representing that she being taken by an American Privatier, they were put on board the Molly, which had also been taken by her, and which they recovered, and carried her to Trinity in Newfoundland but soon after His Majesty's Sloop Penguin arrived, claimed the said Ship Molly as her Prize, & received the Salvage, and they the Petitioners were not paid one penny for retaking her, and therefore praying for Relief I am commanded by their Lordships to send you the said Petition herewith and to signify their direction to you to report to them a state of this Case if it came under your Cognizance while you was at Newfoundland; And with your Report you will please to return the said Petition to &c
Vice Admiral Montagu, Town
P: S:
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/553, 324-25.