[Extract].

Genmn My Son Gilbert Saltonstall attended at Hartford the 9th and 11th Inst but you were gone to the Camp... Business still prevents my waiting on you and is more pressing than before, as Capt Dudley Saltonstall is gone to Phladelphia and I do not expect he'l return before the Fleet of 2 Ships 2 Briggs and 1 Sloop make a Cruize, ² and the Business of Shipping Seamen, Officers &c and dispatching them lays on me, the Fleet was expected to be ready by 25th Inst Seamen excepted ー Capt D. Saltonstall is Honrd with the Command of the first Ship in the Navy, called the Alfred (I conclude in Honour to King Alfred, who formed the British Navy) She was heretofore called the Black Prince, mounts 32 Guns, and on Board the Alfred, Commodore Hopkins hoists his Flagg ー I am with Esteem [&c.]