[Extract]
My Dear Sir—

. . . will not the peace establishment give Vigour to our army? I fear not, for if the Officers have half pay the Soldiers will say they have a right to expect it—we are now giving 200 dollars p^r man for men to go to Road Island for a few months, in addition to what is allowed by the state this I impute chiefly to Privateering I think I may venture to assert that there are more men at this time in Privateers from the four Eastern states) & in the Enemies hands that have been taken in Privateers then Gen^l: Washington has in his Army whether this business does not very essentially injure both Army, navy, & Agriculture, I must leave you to Judge—several Privateers have lately been taken,¹ but that does not abate the Rage two ships one of 18 & the other of 20 Guns are now fiting out here how many there are in the Neighbouring ports I know not but no doubt a considerable number while these ships are daily sailing the Public ships are laying by the walls, & cannot (as I am inform’d) get men to do the commo[n] necessary duties of the ship.—It Grieves me to see men who have made fortunes in the public service & are still adding to them doing every thing in their power to injure their Country & at the same time blinded by their own interest will not see it.— 

I am anxiously expecting to hear from you every post² in the mean time be assured that I am with great sincerity most affectionately Yours