[Extract]
Dear Sir

Your Favour of the 6th Instt I recd Yesterday by the returng Post who was flying and I cou'd not acknowledge it by him Is it Possible that Capt Mortimer has forgot his engagements. You remember how often I urged [John] Cotton to clinch that Rigging. However I am surprised at Nothing the daily disappointments I meet with, prepare me to believe any thing. The Rigers I believe will do as they please about the pric of their Labour or quit; Curse on such double dealing I think this Country is older in fraud & Chicanery than G Britain. This day several Ships & Tenders passed Fort Washington and penetrated through all our Cheaveaux D'frieze, Sunken Vessels & the Devil knows what, and have arrived safe on Taupon Sea a wide place about 4 Leagues above the Bridge. This will obstruct our Navigation do& that River & bring us to the Necessity of much Land Carriage and if the Enemy effectually Stop the Navigation of the Sound their will be great difficuhy in supporting our Army....

I am very greatly mortified that You are so disappointed about the Ship,² and I suppose the Communication with the Jersys will be cut of[f] or greatly Obstructed but if it should be otherwise I dont see as any hemp will be had. the Devil has got footing among all orders of Men and we are going at a great rate to ruine unless a speedy alteration takes place. half the World are speculating. I fear the Person who [you] dispatched about the Hemp deserves a Neckcloth of it. I have no news from him Yet....