Sir

I have made so many unsuccessful attempts to Convoy the Fly past Fishers Island that I have determined to give it up ー and pursue my Orders for Boston ー When I arrive there I will transmit you my letter of Attorney ー in the mean time you will singularly oblige me by Applying to the Admiral for an Order to receive for me a Copy of the Alfred's Log Book which I had made out for my Private Use before I left that Ship and which was Unjustly with-held from me when I took Command of the Sloop, by the ill natured & narrow Minded Captain Saltonstall. ー When the old Gentn was down here he promised to order that my Copy should be delivered ー but when my Lieutenant applied for it the Master of the Alfred told the Admiral a Cursed Lye, and said there was no Copy made out. ー On enquiry You will find that Mr [Thomas] Vaughan the Mate of the Alfred made out the Copy in Question for me before I went to N. York. ー I should not be so particular did I not stand in absolute need of it before I can make out a fair Copy of my Journal to lay before the Congress ー for I was so stinted in point of time in the Alfred that I did not Copy a single remark ー besides 'tis a little hard that I who Planed and Superintended the Log Book should not be thought worthy of a Copy when a Midshipman if he pleases may claim one. ー I take it for granted that you will receive the Book I must therefore beg you to Send it if Possible to me at Mr Jno Head's or Capt J. Bradfords' Boston ー regarde not the Expence I will Cheerfully pay it. I am with Esteem Sir [&c.]

Sloop Providence 20th June 1776

Sir I forgot to mention to You that Your accot against the Providence will be necessary to me at Boston as I mean to transmit the State and Condition of the Sloop from thence to the Congress ー I will also be glad of Admiral [Esek] Hopkins's Acct against me or the Sloop ー and you will please to Include in Your Accot the Articles furnished the Vessel by the Commissary at Newport ー there is a Bolt of Canvis belonging to the Sloop in the Upper part of the store I wish it could be sent to Boston together with a Quantity of Knives 4 or 5 Dozn, a Pair of Small Pistols ー Some twine, Needles, Palms, Fishhooks, lines; &ca which Mr [Samuel] Brownell took away from the Sloop and hath in his Possession. ー it seems he lodges at a Thos. Venner's on the Hill opposite the Burying ground on the West Side. ー

You will herewith receive a Pair of Pistols, a Musquit and a Cutlass belonging to the Alfred which please to Deliver I am Sir [&c.]