Eagle October 20th.—
The two flat Boats you have detained are appropriated for a particular Service, from which they cannot be possibly spared; I am therefore to beg you will be so obliging as to suffer them to be taken away by the bearer. I have let them continue with you as long as I could, & I hope with the assistance of the Boats from the Merlin, you may be able now to dispence with them, if to make sure of getting off next tide, you think it necessary to lighten more than taking out your Guns & starting your water, be so good as to let me know, & I.will send up small vessels for the purpose, I am, [&c.]
Roger Curtis.—
LB, NHi, William Cornwallis Papers, Letter Book, 126. Addressed at foot of page: "Honble. Captn. Cornwallis./Isis.—"