Lordー

Late last night I had the honor to receive yr Ldship's Ltr of the 23 Inst & very sincerely congratulate yr Lordship's safe anival at C.T. where I wish you great Satisfactn & Felicity At the same [time in the] disord'd State of pub. Mrs & without any protection or support I am much afraid it is not to be expected, and as things strike me, I see no probability of any sober quietude unless the prudence & modern of the Continl Congress should lay a foundation for it ー and I find this province is at last likely to be drawn inー

Certainly my Ld a speedy communication & Intelligence from the Genl & Adml may be of great use, & tend much to promote his Maj's Service. And I see no kind of Difficulty in this as there are many armed Schooners which are really of little use, but as advice boats, and I now enclose yr Ldship Letters to those Gentlemen on that Subject.

With respect to the other matters it will be very agreeable to me to assist in keeping up a safe & frequent intercourse, but I have no Fund, not one Shilling of pub. money at my command, but even if it were otherwise, the doubt with me is, what mode of safety can be fallen upon, for if the common post is not safe, & there is or should be a determination to seize on the Lrs, I fear a special messenger will not be much safer than the common post, for he will soon be known, & then as liable to be robbed as the other. And I cannot say but I am apprehensive for my Lrs. of April & May which I presume will come together by the May packet & may be daily expected.

If yr Ldship thinks of any other safe method you will be pleased to let me know, & how of,ten to go, & what the expense may be? And I beg leave to assure your Ld Ship that it will give me the greatest Satisfaction to cultivate a Correspondence.

I have the honor to be with perfect Esteem my Lord

Your Lordships [&c.]

10 o'clock a.m.