Dear Sir

I have to Acknowledge the honour of your kind & Polite Letter with my warmest thanks for your Congratulations on my safe arrival and with peculiar Sentiments of pleasure, think myself very happy that you received the first acknowledgements of Freedoms flag from the french fleet¹ nothing makes me feel so glad as distinctions paid to the United Colours but more especially when my Friend Captain Jones first made the Demand of so grand a Nation as France, and taught them from his Courage & Address to Respect the American Navy—

I should have gone into Brest and was determined for there but spoke in Longitude 50W—with a french Ship from Nantes bound for America laden with Continental Stores which informed me that there was Cruizing off Brest four 74 Gun Ships and Advised me by all means to go into Nantes—I should have gone into Brest to have made a berth together—My Officers are M^r Jonathan Pitcher 1^st L^t, M^r Silas Devol 2^d L^t M^r Patrick Fletcher 3^d L^t—M^r Geo Goodwine Master, M^r William Hopkins acting Lieutenant M^r Benjamin Ingraham Gunner and the only Man who is saved from the gallant Capt Weeks Crew M^r Nathan Jaquays is my Cook—² Six Good Midshipmen— Four Good Mates, my Boatswain & Carpenter nothing to boast of—as to the Agreable Widow she was in perfect health, the Lady in the middle of the town had the pleasure of seeing three Days before I saild at a Ball wh^c was given in Consequence of the News that France & Spain had declared us independent she was then well & all family³ Jabez Bowen Esq^r is Chosen Deputy Governor—M^rs Whipple and M^rs Hopkins are well:⁴ The Warren got out safe and is at Boston getting manned I believe for France—⁵ The Columbus was burnt coming out⁶ the Raleigh is Arrived—the Alfred is taken to windward of Desidea, it is frankly reported that Captⁿ Hinman was basely deserted by Captain Tomson—and that Captain Tomson is a Coward and will not fight as both the Continental Frigates were together and the two Ships who took Captⁿ Hinman was not equal the force of both—however I do not pretend to assert it for truth altho warmly talkd of—⁷ Captⁿ M^cNeal was suspended, Capt Manly just exchanged and got hom Rho Island had not had his tryal;⁸ As to the Commander in Chief was suspended before that you left home and has since been broke without Tryal—⁹ there are two thirty Six Gun Frigates near launching in the New England States & three more to the Southward there are many more setting up. There is only two 74^s set up & it will be cold weather before they are Launched—¹⁰

As to the Armies they had not taken the field when left home, all your friends in America are well if you breathe wishes of happiness for them, think how many there are breathing wishes for you Capt Biddle was blown up off Barbadoes only four saved;¹¹ My best Compliments to your Officers. M^r Pitcher & M^r Hopkins desire to be Respectfully remembered as they have both had the honour of sailing with you—Pray be so Obliging as to write me every opportunity & my warmest wishes are for your health & happiness remaing with the greatest Pleasure [&c.]