Gentlemen,

I Rec'd your letter per Express, last night at half-past Eleven o'clock, wherein you order me to send two Pilot boats to Cruise to the Eastward, I must acquaint you that there is no boats here that can be got, that is any ways fit for the Service, they being all bought up by your Merchants to send to sea. You likewise desire me to keep a strict look out, which you may depend upon that I shall, as my Character is at stake, though but trifling to your City. I must acquaint you that I have placed a very good and trusty hand at the light house, to give me the Earliest Notice of the Approach of any of the Pyrates, and you may Relie upon it that my Whale boat and Express horse is all Ready at a moments call. I should have answered your Letter by the Express horses, but I did not know the moment that I might want them, as the wind has been Eastwardly for this several Days. Haveing no more to add at this time, I Remain [&c.]