Dear Sir

I receivd yours by Captn Hill, Having din'd on board the Admiral & having left Him indisposd I did not wait on Him but wrote to Him, His answer to your request, you have inclosd.¹ I would have deliverd it in person, had I not been afraid that your ship was too far from us, for I have the greatest desire to take My Friend Williams by the hand & to assure you How much I am your Very Humble Ser^t.

P.S.

I am no Judge of the etiquett amongst you Gentlemen of the marine, but I think it would be best to accept his return. M^r Du Chaffault gave that Number or seven I forget which to the Mifflin at Brest.² We wait M^r Williams arrivel with impatience & as the interval is so short I do not write Him—