[Extract]

. . . The People at Machias, an obscure small Town in the Eastermost parts of this Colony, you may remember some time ago took two Sloops from one [Ichabod] Jones (a dog) and a Tender. they have now taken another Tender without the loss of a man, and among other things with ten bbls. powder and £50 sterling in Cash.² in this way they will be a Maritime Power. they Bid as fair for it as Charthage in the days of Queen Dido, and almost as much so as England in the days of Queen Bess. We may be able another Year to Convey the Delegates to Philadelphia (if they Choose to go by water) against the Navy of Britain.