Folios 498-499: John Draper, 22 Arundel Street, London. Acknowledges the letter enclosing...

Folios 498-499: John Draper, 22 Arundel Street, London. Acknowledges the letter enclosing one from the crew of HMS Porcupine, which he recently commanded, on the subject of prize money due to them, precious stones and gold bars. The vessels he captured were sold in Nassau, New Providence [Bahamas] under a decree from the Vice Admiralty Court, but as the court did not have the authority to condemn Spanish vessels, no distribution of prize money could take place. The Agent, Mr Forbes, gave a surety to the court against any claim which might later be made and then sent back to England aboard the Porcupine a sum of dollars and bills to his correspondents in London, Messrs Strachan McKenzie & Co. They in turn have made an initial payment of £3,000, but will not release any more until they hear from Mr Forbes that the Vice Admiralty Court has given a definitive ruling and released him from his surety. He has delivered the precious stones to Strachan McKenzie and then written to his crew to ask what they want done with them. The gold is still in the possession of Mr Forbes.