My Dear Sir

I am not a little uneasy at not hearing from you; and yet as you have no vessel with you, I don't well know how I should; nor has it been in my power to send any thing to you; so continually have we been employed.

Mr Goold the Purser of the Liverpool had sailed in search of you, before the Spanish Snow arrived; and after cruizing, as he tells me, for three or four days off Cape Henlopen and Cape May, he returned here, without being able to find you; and was in some little distress as he had split his Sails, and expended his fresh water.

I have done every thing with the Spaniard you desired, but have not been able to find any thing more in her than was acknowledged by the Captain to you; and as to the right of Seizure, I have not the least doubt, as she appears to me to be entirely within the letter of the last act of Parliament: therefore I think the best thing you can do is, to get her to a place where there is a Court of Admiralty as soon as you can.²

The removal of the Fleet to this place, has for the present so entangled us with more business, that I don't see the least prospect of sending a Ship to relieve, or assist you; And notwithstanding my reluctance at leaving the River Delaware again open: Yet, in your situation (if it is not better than when I last heard from you) I think it altogether as improper that you should remain any longer there; It is therefore my desire that you proceed with the Ship under your command to this place as Soon as possible, in order to recruit your Ships company.

By a Schooner which arrived here the 8th instant, we are informed that Sir Peter Parker and General Clinton; are gone, with the Forces under their command, to beseige Charles Town South Carolina.

I hope Soon to have the pleasure of seeing you, 'til when adieu I always am My Dr Sir [&c.]

Henry Bellew Esqr commander of
his Majs Ship Liverpool Delaware Bay