Sir

The fortune of War having thrown a small Detachment of American Troops into your Government, to whom your Excellency has been pleased to grant all the Hospitality becoming the Greatness of your Prince, and your own Goodness.¹

I am highly sensible notwithstanding, that their tarry here, must be disagreeable to your Excellency, and the Inhabitants of this Province; as well on account of the critical situation of publick Affairs, as that of the present scarcity of all kind of provisions, particularly Bread; which your own Subjects cannot procure: which gives me great pain to experience. Yet we are in this situation) unfortunately surrounded by our Enemies, and should we attempt to proceed up the River, we have nothing to expect but the inhuman Barbarity which is generally committed by those Savages whom Britain is basely reduced to employ against us. Therefore I have in vain) applyed to procure Merchant Ships to transport this Detachment home to our Colonies by Sea under Spanish or French Colours, but as I find this impracticable I must now in the Name of my Master The Honourable The Congress apply to your Excellency to grant me permission to put our own Ship² in order for defense, so that I may embark all the Officers and Men belonging to said Detachment, as soon as possible for our Colonies, by which Your Excellency and your Inhabitants will be releived from any farther inconveniencies that may arise in your present alarming Situation, and at same time be Gratefully acknowledged by Your Excelleny's Most Obedient [&c.]