I am Sorry to Acquant you that I am Now Confined in this Prison I was taken the 10th of June Last by the Queen Charlotte Priveteer Belonging to London and was Striped of all my Cloaths And Left Nothing only what I had on. Excuse my Freedom in Writeing to you for alitle Cash to Supply my Pesent Wants as I Reayly Stand in Great Need for it and if it should be my Lot to Come to france I make no Dout but I Shall be able to make you amends for it and if I Should not I am well Assured that my Fathe will Make you ample Satisfaction for it When I Left home your Family was all well Like wise your Father in Law and his Family.

I have had Lately the Small Post and a heavy fit of Sickness after it but thank god I have got the Great Deal the Better of and hope to be Restored to my former Strength again.

I am Mr Thomas Vinton’s Son Liveing about a Mile and a half of you house my Sitwation wont pemit me to Write at Large So I Must Conclude With Whiching this few Lines may find You in a Perfect State of health So I Remain Your Humble Servant

I have received your favours of the 21. and 23d,1 and have now to inform you that Mr Barclay Consul General of the United States is arrived in Town, and his commercial Knowledge as well as the nature of his office, make it proper, that I should relinquish to him, as I do, all the Care, that I might before have had of the continental Goods, as Dr Franklin has done. He will endeavour to finish this Business with the utmost dispatch.

I think however that the United States have great Reason to complain of the Rejection of a Proposal So reasonable as that, of an arbitration. Mr Barclays first object will be I presume to get the Possession of the Goods. Before the Goods are delivered to him, it will be impossible for me to make any Representations to Passy.

You have never yet Stated what was the first Cost of the Vessells. I beg that the accounts may be made up immediately that We may know how many Guilders are demanded of us.