[Extract]
Dear Lawford

I have reflected for sometime whether your receiving a Letter from a Rebel (tho' an old Friend) will be looked upon as Treason or not, however I now venture to acquaint you of our safe Arrival at this Place where we arrived last December after numberless Difficulties, such as laying under Trees at Nights, and sometimes in open Boats on Water, however We are safe moored among our Friends in peace ー I say in peace because there is all the Appearance of it, that is We have a great Trade, every body very busy, and to crown all, at the same time We are ready prepared for our Foes, if they attack us either by Land or Sea, as to the latter (by Sea) the brave Sir Peter Parker may give you a good History of the Carolinians Exploits on the 28th of last June, a good History of which yoy have in one of your Magazines ー I fear the British Navy suffered a Slur on their maritime Character, it was on that day, when, tho' brave fellows they suffer'd incredibly ー Had it not been for want of Powder at the Fort (which was the Case for two Hours) every Vessel must have sunk, at least when they got a fresh Supply they played on the Ships with such Spirit, that they were obliged to slip their Cables and take the Benefit of the Ebb Tide in a most shattered Condition. General Clinton can inform you that the Americans are not ignorant of the Art Military ー We have enjoyed Peace ever since.

. . . I have lately seen one of our 36 Gun Frigates "'hich is as noble and compleat a one as ever sailed from Britain in every respect the Randolph she is called built in Philadelphia where her Guns (12 pounders) were also cast ー

N.B. We have got up 18 of the Actaeons Guns, a number of fine Cables and some very fine Anchors belonging to the Experiment, Bristol and other Vessels . . .