Sir

I Recevid yours of the 29 Jan 1776 in which it is Recommended that I should Suffer the Boats to Pass and repass a Cordingly I have premitted the Boats to pass But would observe to your Honer that Capt [James] wallace will not suffer aney Boat to pass Except men of his Prenciples Sending his Boat on Bord to See if they have his permitt if not Robes them of what they have and so long as the Boats pass and Repass with in hale of wallace fleet he will have Every Intelgance he wants But the Distrased Scituation of the Town of new port is such as you well observe makes it very Difficel and Causes a Compliance to maney Disagreable thing[s] on there a Count I Long for the Time to Come that we have the meterales in oure hands that we Can Bid Defianc[e] to the minsterel fleet ー

the Twenty Ninth Instant [sic] a Reved at head qurters an Exspres from warter town with an advertesement from the Jeneral Court for taking up one Docter Gilston of nantucket who has proved him Self Inmical to the Liberties of this Country and was in there Custady who By the assistance of one John Brown w[h]o once useed to Drive a Coach from providance to Boston made his ascape to new port Said Exspress aplied to me for asistance I Emeately Sent Capt Bartan [William Barton] with a few men insCarch of Said Dot gilston and in about one oure had the said Docter and Brown in Custody have Sent them Down to the Jeneral Court to Recive there Just Deserts the Doctor gve Brown thirty Dollers and a good horse paid all Exspe[n]ce to Bring him to new port the Dor said Brown agreed with him for the money and horse to Carry him where the Devel would not find him I am [&c.]