[Extract]

The hint you give of inviting all nations to trade with us is indeed a grand idea, and I can easily conceive how bitterly you regret the loss of it. Such a step would have been worthy of such a body. It would have been in the true stile of a Sully, and have produced mightly consequences. I can easily conceive also the narrow principles that operated against and finally destroyed them. The two questions you ask, to what articles the trade should extend, and what bottoms it should be carried on upon, require a nice determination. Perhaps it would not answer our immediate purposes so well by being confined to our own bottoms, but if it be not, and we should finally be detached from Britain, we might have some difficulty in making an alteration so advantageous to ourselves in gaining great wealth and naval power. I hope to hear you viva voce on this subject . . . . The most capital action was at the light house. You will recollect that we burnt it some time ago. They had for some time been very industrious in rebuilding it, and had it in such forwardness as actually to shew a light on Saturday night [July 29]. About twenty-five whale boats &d two hundred men, commanded by Major [Benjamin] Tupper, set off last night, and arrived about daylight, attacked the guard and workmen, and one small tender soon carried it, after killing two or three, and wounding four or five more. They took all the rest, burnt and destroyed the light house, took thirty six prisoners, and all their arms. Among the prisoners are four Marshfield Tories, and three or four others. The rest are marines and soldiers. One of the Whites of Marshfield is wounded, it is said mortally.