Dr Sir
Since mine to you of the 29th Ulto I have to advise you that the Battalion Stationed here, Are for Numbers much as when I wrote you about (400) — But to Come to our Matters between us, I congratulate you on the Success that's attended the McClary Capt [Robert] Parker. Soon after he Sailed he took Two Schooners, With fish Oil and salt which were Sold Yesterday — He is also arrived Together with a fine Large Ship having on board 516 hhd Jama Rum Which were intended for the Army at Quebec But the Captains meeting with many Contrary winds Obliged him to bear away for New York — And fell in with the McClary. Amoung the Rest of the Rum there's 2 hhds of spirrit Directed for Burgoine & Carlton — By Letters taken in Said Ship, it appears there is a great Scarcity of provissions at Jamaico as One Gentlemen writes his friend That he was then (in July) Selling flour at 18 dollars P barrl & Indian Corn at 2 dollars P bushel — There is also a Mahogany Ship (which the McClary Took) Arrivd Which will Turn out in Value about 2500 £. And A Brige from Statia for Ireland with 210 hhds sugr I expect the Whole of these prizes will amount to upwards of 30,000 LM. Which you'l Think is a Tolarable Cruise —
Captn Parker has Refused going out again In whose Room We have put Capt Joshua Moore of Kittery and Expect he will Sail in a few days The Old Ship is a fixing Out. And will proceed on her Voyage the begining of Next Month for the West Indias —
Your family is well. I Should Esteem it a favour you'd find me the Resolves of Congress, And a Book Lately published in Philladelphia In Which is Contained The Whole of the Camp duty In doing Which you'! Oblige me — I am with Real Esteem sr [&c.]
Nov. 11. By a fishing boat Just got in We hear one of the British Tenders Late Captain [William] Burkes, 2 Overhalld and took her, And after Examining how we _ were defended, What Condition the Rawleigh was in how many privateers we had, And what prizes We had Taken, they Released him, And they themselves made of[f] to sea — The person who Tells this Story is Tuttle the fisherman Whom you know. — Let the Story be true or false it has induced me to keep a Good Luck out at the different forts —