The enclosed copy of a Certificate given me by the Master of the Brigantine Berkenbosch will I hope, vindicate both my reputation, and that of our Flag, the Witnesses were Captain Conyngham of Philadelphia who made his escape from an English Prison, and Mr. Fitch Pool of Boston Captain’s Clerk of the Alliance. I understood the Vessel had been taken from her American Owners by a Privateer of Liverpool, at which place, she had been condemned, a very short time before, and bought by a Dutch-English House there. I had no reason to think the Vessel had ever been in Holland; nor was any intimation of the kind given to me before you sent me the extract of the Masters Protests It is not probable, I should propose “Wages” to the Master to carry his Vessel to America—I did no such thing, nor was he either “confine” or insulted on board of the Alliance—He admits himself “he was permitted to return” and the command was not taken from him, but as I found it was the general opinion on board the Alliance, that he had two sets of papers, which opinion his Certificate seemed to corroborate, I found myself particularly embarrassed.

As the master of the Brig made no objection, I advised him to steer for an American Port, where if his Vessel should not be condemned, he would be at the best market, and find himself among friends to Holland, who would justly determine, whether his Brig was a Prize or not? I gave him not as he pretends a “Prize Masters” but a Gentleman of Boston (Mr. Peter Fanieul Jones) an assistant Navigator, and a good Pilot for the American Coast, whose orders ran thus. “You are to embark on board the Brigantine Berkenbosch, in order to take upon you the charge of conducting her to America in conjunction with Ary de Neef the Master.” Thus I had no idea that the Brigantine could run any risque from the Enemy, as neither the Flag nor Command was changed. I desired Mr. Jones, if they should be obliged to steer at that severe season for Martinique to address himself for Advice and assistance to Mr. Bingham the American Agent, and I had no doubt but that strict justice would be done the Master, whom I furnished with various Articles before his departure—His being taken in sight of St Eustatius by the Enemy, is rather surprizing, and is I think a proof he was under no restraint from his pretended Prize Master, since that was far from being the course for Martinique. I presume he was steering directly for Statia? But his folly in saying to the English his Brig was a prize to America, appears to me of a piece, with his giving me a Certificate, that the Brig was wholly British Property.

Forty five of the Americans only belonging to the Bon Homme Richard recieved their wages, the rest to the number of one hundred and twenty five were never paid off all my endeavours having failed, the Accounts were regularly transmitted to the Minister of the Marine, who allways said “Mr. Chaumont would pay” and Mr. Chaumont as constantly pretended “He had not the necessary Funds,” thus between them, I find myself liable to 125. different Actions at Law for 27,667. livers 11 X. 4 H. the ballance of wages due for the American part of that Crew.