My Lord,

I have communicated to my Lords Cominissrs of the Admty your Letter of the 17th Instant, informing them of His Majesty's Ship the Boyne being arrived in Plymouth Sound, & that an American Brig taken by the Boyne is arrived at Plymouth,² and desiring to know, as the Master of the Brig, is an Englishman whether he is to be liberated as the Masters of other American Commercial Vessels (who are Americans) are ordered to be, or not, as also how you are to dispose of the Crew of the said Vessel, who except the Mate & a Negroe are all Natives of France; And in return, I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you that the Master is to be liberated according to the Act of Parliament, but the Mate, & the rest of the Crew are to be distributed on board of His Majesty's Ships to serve as part of their Complements.

I am also to acquaint you that the Navy Board are directed to pay the Persons who apprehended one of the Rebel Prisoners who made his Escape from the Blenheim the 5th Inst the same Reward as they paid to the Persons who apprehended those who some time since escaped from the Hospital. I am &ca