Portsmouth August 24th 1777.
My dear Sir,
I am happy to hear of your safe arrival at Boston. — I am almost in readiness for Sea, so that I cannot hope for the pleasure of seeing you in Boston before my departure; you will oblige me much by a Copy of your prisoner's scheme of quartering the Officers and Men in different rates of the Enemies Navy and what he. conceives to be their duty respectively. — Thompson and Hinman are gone; and by the Accounts of Fishermen off the Isle of Shoals, the Raleigh, sails very fast — I am sorry you went to Boston2 — why could not you and I have a Frolic together, — the Boston would have been refitted here as soon as the Ranger, will be ready, had we bent our Course Eastward as the others have done. — I am at a loss for Top swivles — I wish you could Spare me those of the Boston — as they could easily be replaced at the Air Furnace, before you will be in readiness. — I will hope to hear from you shortly, and in the mean time with my respect to your Family I sincerely am, — My dear Sir, [&c.]