[Benjamin Bourne Esq^r / in Congress / Philadelphia] [Docketing: Capt Archibald / 1794 Apr 7^th / Re^d Ap^l 14] Newport April 7^th 1794 Dear Sir We are happy to hear that Congress is about to take some spirited Measures on account of the depredations on our trade, & belive there is no good to expect any thing from the friendly Disposition of the Court of Great Britain as we find that when the Merchants of London applyd to the Ministry to Knoes what was ment by the orders of the 6^th of November, they only agreed to countermand them and on the 8^th of January give an other order still worse [undecipherable] better, that they still go on to take and Condemn all our Vessels in the West Indias from the [strikethrough: late] talk that Lord Dorchester has had with the Indians, and other Somethings, we cannot doubt but War with the United States is a part of the plan of the combined powers, and that from the Success of France & the timely & spirited preparations of the United States is the only way that we can expect to oppose it. Capt Peffers of this Town, on his Voyage home from the [undecipherable] was taken by a Bermudian Privatier, they took out all his men left only himself and Mate, put a Prize Master and three men on board her after Steering for Bermuda [undecipherable: about] Nine days, Capt Peffers thought [undecipherable: proper] to [undecipherable: retake] the Command and took the Bermuda [undecipherable] Gentlemen and secured them all in Irons (that he happend to have on board) and in that Situation he arived here last [undecipherable: Fryday] our General Assembly adjourned on Saturday [undecipherable] they passed the Militia bill as [undecipherable: passed] before by the Lower House with out opposition and also Ceed the forts to the United States, in this State there appears all of one Mind altho those that wish for Peace yet to prepare for War, and [undecipherable] had rather even that, than to Submit to such insults from the haughty Britons, [undecipherable] they [undecipherable] he nearly given up Some of the Tories them selves Say they are ready to take there [undecipherable: Muskets] & [undecipherable] rather then Submit to [undecipherable] [undecipherable], I think there Never was a time that there was more Need for all to unite and lay Party [undecipherable] be laid aside [undecipherable] out of [undecipherable] I have inclos a list of those [undecipherable: Voyages] for M^r Emery, that he has not had power of Attorney from [undecipherable] to give it him and desire him to lay those Clames according to Law, we do not prevale on Col Olney to do any thing about them unless the Comptroler will right to him, if no other way will do I wish that he would, So that a Settlement might be obtaind. do desire M^r Emery not to [undecipherable: neglect] laying in all those Clames in time. do be So Good as to let me know if Hall is at Philadelphia and if you know any thing of his Circum=stances. I am Sir with Esteem your most ob^t Humb^le Serv^t [undecipherable: Jb. Vose] B. Bourn Esq^r