Capt. Preble having left behind him a spare fore yard belonging to the US. Frigate Essex, I supplied the American mercht. brig Equator which came in here in distress with a mast which I received in lieu of the same from Admiral Sir Roger Curtis under whose care the Essexs fore yard was left, & have taken a promissary Note which I now enclose from the master of the Equator to pay to the Secretary of the Navy, what ever sum may be assessed for the value of the same. Inclosed is likewise a Copy of a Protest left with me by the chief Offic⟨er⟩ of the Asia belonging to Philadelphia, who was forcibly detained with two Boys belonging to said ship, with the boat, logbook & other papers by Capt. Nicols commander of the English whaler Walker of London. On the arrival of the Walker, Capt. Nicols in Table Bay, I r⟨e⟩presented the matter to the Liut. & acting Gover⟨nor⟩ Liut. General Dundas, & requested in writi⟨ng⟩ the release of Peter Sutter, chief officer of the Asia & the two boys detained by Capt. Nicols with the delivery up of the Asias boat, log⟨book,⟩ & other papers. The Officer & boys were releas⟨ed⟩ but the Liut. Governor declined interposing wit⟨h⟩ respect to the delivery up of the boat and papers.

As the Cape of Good Hope is likely by the preliminaries of Peace to change masters; It may not be improper just to hint, the advantage which the Citizens of America trading to the east of the Cape would derive from being permitted to touch at the Cape in order to refresh and in case of distress to refit, with liberty to dispose of so much of their cargoes as is necessary to defray their expences. The advantage arising to America which has so extensive a Commerce to the east of the Cape will be of great Importance. I have witnessed the advantage which the Citizens of America have reaped by such priviledge being granted by the Tre⟨aty⟩ between G. Britain & U. States, While other Nations in amity with England, which ha⟨ve⟩ no such stipulation in their Treaties, were obliged to raise monies at an enormous Interest to pay their disbursements. With the most Respectful Consideration I have the Hon⟨or⟩ to be Sir your most obt. faithful ⟨Servant⟩