The vessel in which I am to embark is esteemed so good in this town, as to induce underwriters, notwithstanding she is to sail in the face of British men of war, to insure on her at 25 per cent; coming into this port she was pursued by those very men of war and their tender, but escaped them; she is now clean, and barely in ballast for sailing, and will go out in an evening. My long delay is a subject of grief to me, but Congress will be pleased to recollect, that I made my coming to Charleston, in order to present myself at the tribunal of my country, the sine qua non of my acceptance of a new mission. The first opportunity that offered for Europe was the Chimere, Commodore Durumain. I have already informed you of the causes of my disappointment. I had not thought it possible, that the Commodore would have induced a junction of two Continental frigates with his little squadron of three ships, under an excellent plan for a ten days’ cruise, unless he had been fully determined to perform his part in the execution. A contrary proceeding exposed those frigates to imminent danger, which they narrowly escaped. What has happened since the Commodore’s departure, respecting my intended embarkation, Congress have been informed of.

I have the honor to be, &c.

HENRY LAURENS.

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Vestal—British Frigate,   }
St. John’s, Newfoundland, September 14th, 1780.}

Gentlemen,

I had the honor of writing to the Board of Admiralty, from on board the Mercury packet, the 23d ult.[72] by Captain Young, at parting with the Saratoga. On the 3d instant, the Vestal came in view, and after a pursuit of some five or six hours, Captain George Keppel took possession of the packet. Mr. Young, Captain Pickles, and myself, were conducted on board this ship, and yesterday we arrived here.

Certain papers, among which were all those delivered to me by Mr Lovell, and the board of Admiralty, fell into Captain Keppel’s hands. These papers had been enclosed in a bag, accompanied by a considerable weight of iron shot, and thrown overboard, but the weight proved insufficient for the purpose intended. Admiral Edwards, Governor of this Island, and commander of the stationed squadron, has ordered me to England in the sloop of war Fairy, under the command of Captain Keppel. Mr Young and Captain Pickles will probably go in the same vessel.

I should be wanting in justice, and indeed deficient in common gratitude, were I to omit an acknowledgment of Captain Keppel’s kindness to myself, and to everybody captured in the Mercury. Captain Pickles’ conduct, while he had the command of that vessel, was perfectly satisfactory to me.