[Extract]

Manly is truly our hero of the sea; ー poor ———— [Sion Martindale] is gone to England ー his vessel was not at all calculated for the service; she was fitted out at an enormous expense, did nothing, and struck without firing agun. ² [William] Coit I look upon to be a mere blubber, ———— and ———— [Broughton and Selman] are indolent and inactive souls. Their time was out yesterday, and from frequent rubs they got from me (under the General's wings) they feel sore, and decline serving longer. I hope we shall pick out some more active men. It will be possible to bombard Boston from Letchmore's Point; give us powder and authority, for that you know we want, as well as the other. I say give us these, and Boston can be set in flames.

I have heard of your fleet, and I have been much surprised that any of the difficulties you mention should occur in such a place as Philadelphia ³  How often have I exclaimed at the delays attending the fitting out our Beverly Fleet. How often have you descanted thereon in your letters; ー but I find this country should not bear so much blame as both of us have laid at its door. I wish the scheme of fitting both fleets out was adopted some months earlier; it would have been of infinite advantage to the cause. I believe I told you that Broughton and Selman were returned; they never entered the River St.Lawrence; indeed, the quantity of provisions ordered to be put on board, was far short for such an expedition: ー there is now no help for it. The accounts you give from Virginia are very agreeable, ー though I cannot suppose that a want of provisions to support the motley army can be the reason of [Lord] Dunmore's going on board his vessel again. The letters by a sloop, from him bound to Boston, ⁴ spoke a very different language; he in some of them says he can spare a great deal to the army in Boston. I need not tell you that this sloop was taken by Manly; the Congress have all the letters, and of a very interesting nature they are.

I am just informed all the vessels are now in port, the officers and men quitted them; ⁵ what a pity, as vessels are every day arriving: indeed the chance of taking any, is pretty well over, as a man-of-war is stationed so as to command the entrance of Beverly, Salem, and Marblehead ー we must have ships to cope with them. I shall set out to-morrow and try to get some of them to sea while the weather continues mild....