Honble sirs
My duty lays me under the disagreeable Necessity of acquainting the Honble Board with the loss of the Brig Robert (late Lively) on her passage to South Carolina and sent into Rhode Island, I am glad there was no Cargo on board, and we have made some small saving by taking out a good New Cable of ten Inches full length — I could wish it was the only loss the publick have lately sustain'd from this quarter, but by a letter from Coll Tillinghast I am inform'd the Schooner, which was Charter'd to take in the- small Cargo sent from here some time ago in the Brig Betsy is Aliso taken and sent into York, its very unluckey as the two Ships Building in this State Call for a great quantity of Iron — and we shall very soon be out when the Workmen must be discharg'd, I dare not Charter a third Vessell without orders from the Honble Board neither should I have ventur'd to send a second, had not the Cargo of the first lay at point Judith, and I found it was greatly wanted at Baltimore, therefore shall wait your future orders - We are without any advice from our frigates, the Alfred is waiting your orders, the Raleigh if my information is good is near sailing having a hundred forty five men on board, I am nowcompleating their last callsonme, the Lee will sail on a Cruise tomorrow, I have the honour to be with All due Respect — Your [&c.]
