Sir

I am favour'd with your Letter of the 14^th ins^t. and must acknowledge that you have reason for a temporary detention of the Flag of Truce¹ The indiscretion of the Officer cannot be justified, but I dare say from the Candour you have shewn on all occasions of intercourse between us, that you will attribute the impropriety of his behaviour to the curiosity and inattention natural to youth.—You are very sensible that I have every information that I can wish relative to the Navigation &c. of Provi­dence River, and were not that the case, I flatter myself you would not think me ca­pable of gaining knowledge by unjustifiable and unfair means.—

Major Barry² who has the charge of the Flag of Truce will explain my Sentiments fully, and therefore I shall only add, that I now ask the immediate return of Lieutenant Nugent and the People with him, as a favor, which I shall be glad to return when any opportunity offers—I am [&c.]