Sir

I send you, this by Mr Lane master of the Otter Sloop, who is carrying some troops to Virginia
we made the land the Eleventh day after our Sailing from Nantaskett, & considering that neither the master or my self was ever here before, the[re] cou'd not be any better Land fall, as we were Steering Right for the Light house when we made the Shore a few Leags to the Norward of the harbour; we got a pilot off, that evening but did not get into the harbour untill two the next day, and Very luckey for us we did as the[re] came on a blowing dirty night after we got in  the Barr here is a Most Shocking one; but 8 foot at Low water and twelve at high and not above the lenght of two Large Ships a cross, from Breaker to Breaker, it is all a white flat sand here yet the diffrent kind of Orange trees is loaded with fruit, the[y] are not Quite Ripe, I wish I Coud Convey Some of them to you Just as the[y] are with their fruit on the[y] look so buitifull ー I cannot help complaining of my midshipman Being taken from me at boston, as captn [Broderick] Hartwell had no [Ri]te to demand him, for he was my proper one, he got himself dischargd out of the Boyne into this schooner by choice, and perfectly satisfied, untill I told him of his neglect of Duty at Annapolis Royal, when by his not turning out in his watch at four in the morning, I lost my boatswain and four men, and at such a time as that when I did not know when I shoud fall inn with the pirate [Jeremiah] Obrien, it was Enough to Vex any officer that had any Regard for his Caracter, and I think if every midshipman is indulged to go to what Ship the[y] please when the[y] think them selves a grieved, it was more than ever I coud do when I was in that station ー there is no Contractor for the Navy, but shall be supply'd by the Army Contractor, there is fresh Beef here at three pence pr pound and Very good the Governor as well as my Self, thinks it will be right to supply the people with fresh beef in the harbour to preserve the Salt as there is not much in store; if the butcher will take bills on the Victualling officer the Contractor at boston, ー
my old mainsail and Fore Sail is giving way in Several places, and if I can Replace them here I think it will be best as the old will convert into Hammocks, that the people is in much want off and I coue'd not get any at boston, none of the men that came from the preston brought any with them if I meet with your approbation in what I do for the best, I am happy and am Dear Sir [&c.]