Folio 263: Commissioner Sir Richard Beach, Portsmouth. He will only agree to contract...

Folio 263: Commissioner Sir Richard Beach, Portsmouth. He will only agree to contract with Mr. Winter for timber and not masts, there is no plank to be had except from Mr. Godwin. He will arrange with Mr. Hale to pay the Woolwich and Swallow, which are at Spithead. He believes they may find embezzled goods at Fareham, Southampton, Bewley, Lymington, Chichester and the Isle of Wight, but to search for them will need people from London and not locally. He has no money to pay the Customs men, or any others, who seize Navy goods. Asks for warrants to be able to search for goods. He does not remember agreeing with Sir Ralph Delavell to provide vessels. Is sending copy contracts for long boats. He has not heard from Captain Willshaw, but the transporter is loaded with his goods and, as soon as he is strong enough, he will travel to London.