Dear Gen^el.

On Tuesday Evening the 9^th. Instant I embarked on board the arm'd Sloop Schuyler, haveing under Convoy three other Vessels with ab^t. 400 Men for Long Island,—the night being dark and blustering we parted Company, at the dawn of day on Wednesday morning we were off Satalkut—when we discovered a Ship crouding all Sail for us, being to leeward we had only one chance to escape, which was by runing the Vessel ashore, no time was lost, the Vessel grounded on a Beach about 200 Yards from shore, the boat was hove out, before we could get her from the Vessel the Surf ran so amazeing high that she fill’d and Sunk, with much dificulty we regained the Vessel—by this time the Ship had come too within half a Mile of us and was pouring in her Broadside—in this cruel Situation we were oblig'd to Strike,—The Ship proved to be the Falcon commanded by Cap^t. Harmood, who bro't Us to Newport, haveing a number of friends there I made interest to come out and endeavor to effect an exchange, as you will see by the enclosed Parole—Your former politeness and attention, leads me at this time to request your influence in this matter, consider my Dear Sir that I am a young Man just entering on the Stage of life, my Reg^t. now happily formed, and should I remain in a State of Imprisonment long, not only personaly, but my Reg^t. must suffer much, the former objection of Col^o. Campbells¹ exchange must now be at an end, he was then an Officer of the highest Rank of any in our hands, was therefore detained for Gen^l. Lee, since which Major Gen^l. Presscott² has been made a Prisoner—I do not suppose it in your power to settle the exchange, but a letter from you to the General & another to the Massachusetts members of Congress will I am perswaded have a happy effect,—time will not permit or I should write Gen^l. Hancock—be pleased to shew him this letter—I cannot but hope he will favor me with Letters on the Subject.—I hope my unhappy situation, and State of Anxiety will plead the necessary excuse for my troubleing you on this Subject, I set of from this for Wethersfield in Connecticut this afternoon, being now destitute of a second Shirt, I hope to hear from you on this Subject by the earliest conveyance, and wish most ardently the letters from you & Gen^l. Hancock may be enclosed Me. With the warmest Sentiments of Esteem I am [&c.]

N.B. The offer is now a Col^o. for a Lieu^t. Col^o. which I obtained by the Influence of my friends.