Sir

I receiv'd yours of the 15th instant and am very glad to hear you are safe Arrived; as it would have been Impossible for you to have got in here — I wish your Prizes may get in Safe — If you can you may hire a Pilot to go in some Small Vessel, off, or about Nantucket, to give the Prize Masters an Account of our Situation here, and order the Prizes to Boston —

As to any alteration of the Alfred I have receiv'd no Orders from the Marine Committee about that matter, owing I suppose to the difficulty of the Times — and as Captn Hinman has a Commission for the Alfred, do not know at present but it may be best for him to take her, and for you to go onboard the Columbus — however shall write or come down to Boston soon — in the mean time you will get the Ship alongSide the Wharf, and her Stores Secured — And as some of the Mens times are out that they Enlisted for, you may get their Accounts Settled, and give them an Order for the ballance, taking Care to Charge what was Advanc'd them in Philadelphia — those who belong to Philadelphia or have Wifes there, you will give an Order on Mr James Read for One half their Wages, and pay the rest — and call on Mr John Bradford for Money to enable you so to do, who I have wrote to Supply you —

If my Son Esek wants to come home to See his Friends, you will be kind enough to give him leave —

The Owners of the Privateer ² made a great Noise about your taking the Men out of her, and have brought an Action, but I think they will make nothing of it — We have likewise brought an Action against Captn [Isaac] Field for taking our Men — I am Sir Your Friend [&c.]

P.S — You will deliver the Prisoners you have onboard the Alfred to the Officers of the State you are in — Yours &c

E. H —