Sir

On the 7th of this Month I fell in with a Brig under Dutch Colours cleared from Amsterdam for St Eustatia as She appeared to me to be designed for an American Privateer & her Cargo for the use of the Rebels I thought it my Duty to Stop, & bring Her in for their Lordships Directions.

The Brig is American built about 100 tons Burthen the Sails Rig­ging & two Boats appear to be English.² She has. Eight Carriage Guns & four Swivels Mounted 8c is navigated by A Master Mate Five Men & a little Boy. When Mr [Henry] Savage the 1st Lieutenant went on board to examine Her He was informed by a Dutch Passenger on board from the Masters Papers that the Cargo consisted of Six thousand Bricks, Cables, Cordage, Geneva [gin] with some other Merchandize in Packages the Contents of which he did not know. Mr. Savage also informed on his Return that there were two French Passengers on board; I sent Him back with Orders to search further 8c to make particu­ lar Enquiry concerning the Passengers — on opening the Hold they found Barrels of Gun Powder of which there are three Hundred — it appeared also that there were five Officers Passengers on board with two Servants a list of which I enclose. The Master who is a German denied his having known anything of the Cargo & said He came on board only two Days before She Sailed from the Texel after She was loaded — The Officers were all going to serve in the Rebel Army — There were several Letters on board in the Masters Possession & a Bag said to be from the Post Office sealed up, none of which I have opened but kept them with the Papers 'till I receive their Lordships Directions. I sent an Officer with two Petty Officers & ten Men on board directly taking the Passengers & Crew except the ate out that Evening. Next Morning we chased & spoke with a French Brig & in the Eve­ning chased a Schooner — on the Ninth we lost sight of the Brig being Still in chase of the Schooner which went [on] wch hoisted no Colours & appeared to be a Privateer — we gained very little upon her all Day & lost sight of her soon after Dark being then in Lat: 47° . . 54' Lon: 12° . . 39'. On my Return Home being about 10 Leagues North of Ushant we saw a Brig standing to the Westward Close Hauled with very little Wind — when we were about two. Miles off directly to Lee­ ward I tacked & fired a Gun towards Him. He hoisted English Colours but stood by the Wind with all his Sail Set & in three Hours & an Half was quite Hull Down. We Saw Him bear down to another Brig which brought too for. Him — soon after the Brig we had chasd fired a Gun which was answered by a Sloop that just then Came in Sight. as I suspect them to be Privateers I enclose a Description of the Brig, as also a Copy of the Manifest of the Cargo of the Hendrick & Alida, a Translation of the Masters declaration with that of Monsr Draveman & Count D'Attems,³ & hope on my arrival at Portsmouth to receive their Lordships Directions to whom I am to deliver the Papers & Letters as well as relative to the Foreign Officers. I am Sir [&c.]

[Enclosure]

Description of the Brig seen Augt 14th Ushant bearing ten Leagues South —

American Built. No Head rather High abaft All Black except the Muzzles of the Guns which were white We could distinguish four plainly on that side all before the Main Mast & lying low she had Oars upon her Quarters was very taut rigged with deep T. Gallant Royals & a Cross Jack Bent Her Sails well Cut. She went remarkably well & appeared to have been very lately cleaned.