Sir

the Letter you wrote me the 17th of the Last Month has been delivered to me and I. am Most oblige to you and the others Members of the Board for the interest in My health. I Performed my Journey not without Fatigue. but I am well & wish you same.

I am happy, sir, hearing the attention of the Board of War in dispatching Vessels for the Remittances in £ranee, and I am sorry, as you, the Men of War Seem to Like Shasapeak Bay. they are Gone for this moment but how long will they be out? it is said the Seat of War will be next Campaign in Virginia & Maryland. I hardly believe Gnal Howe will Run from one part to the other. it should be to Exhauste his forces Without any effects. however it should be against the Rules of Prudence to send too Many Vessels in this part and I agree Vith you for Sending the Greatest part to south Carolina. But I Pray the Board of War to Consider I Don't Chuse to be Concerned in any other Vessels but the Brig, the Barque & the ship Caledonia, you Mentioned in your letter.

the Ship will be Very Good to Carry Masts and timber to £ranee with some Furs Pelleteries and Bees Wax. it is, I think, the Best speculation Because so Large ship Runs double risk to Come to the southern.

if you may Get Cap[tain]s acquainted with the Coasts, I Believe the Brig & the Barque May attempt to Come to Virginia or Maryland if by the Vessels Watching out of the Capes, they Learn the Men of war are not to be avoided, then they will run to the first river or in Virginia, Maryland or Carolina out of the Capes. if any Cap[t] was acquainted with North Carolina Coast the Naval stores should be from there a Good Remittance. But in any Case whatsoever, put on Board that two Little vessels only Rum, cheese and Loaf Sugar if this Last article is not too high. No Brown sugar or very little.

As you told me sir, the Board of war Should Give me an order to have Money from the Congress, I desire the Board of War will send me Such order for the Amount of about four thousand pounds of your Currency. Perhaps I will not take so large sum But as Every thing in this moment is precarious, and the Communication may be stoped for some time between us, I will be Glad to take adventage of all the opportunities to Make from Every part the Remittances. I wish all your paper Money Converted in Produces of this Country and that produces safe in the ports of Europe. in fine the object of the Governement ought to be to have the other side of the ocean the Greatest Fr[ie]nd possible because in any turn of Business the Nation shou'd send that Money, I Know the Desire of the Board of war to have their Remittances very soon in France, and I think it is not need to pray them to try Every thing for that purpose.

if the Board of war have any Business at Alexandria or any Part of the southern states, they may be Convinced of my satisfaction in serving them.

there a[r]e some vessels arrived at Baltimore for flowr on account of the Board and an other here. I have not Seen the Capt he is Gone down to Williamsburg.

the Brig Ann is yet in Baltimore the Cargoe is not Compleated, wich is amazing. the tobaco Rises. 32, to 35. shelings in Maryland and 22 to 25 In Virginia. you know the Currency. the flowr in Maryland from 16 to 18 sh. In Virginia from 12 to 14. the sugar Sells Go[o]d deal. Rum Jamaica 15. sh. In Virginia.

I pray you to present My Respectful Compliments to the Gentlemen of the Board and Believe I am [&c.]

Sir I Expect an Express from you For the Future My direction in Alexandria