Boston 21st Octobr. 1776ー
Sirー
I have the pleasure to acquaint you with the arrival of the Ship Alexander at Dartmouth with abot 3000 Quintals fish sent in by the providence Sloop Capt [John P[aul] Jones this intelligence I Recd Last Evg. in a Ltr from Messrs Watson & Spooner from Plimouth. its the first line I've recd from Mr Watson since I been in this department tho I've wrote Sundry Letters to him urging the Settlement of his Accounts he now promises to get them ready soon-
I pray Sir I may be favour'd with Orders how to conduct with passengers who are, or may be br[ough]t here in prizes here are several now in town who have nothing to Subsist on. their bills not obtaining Credit I have apply'd to some of the Council and they refer me to the Congress it would prevent many uneasy feelings if I knew the mind of the Hon Congress respecting that matterー
It is some time since the Appeal from the decree given against the ship peggy was sent to philadelphia when that matter is determin'd I shall be highly favour'd to know it, as I am Obliged to keep a person on board to pump her she being very leaky, the Beef on board her is Still unsold, as I was Apply'd to by the deputy Commissary to reserve it for the Army, but no Orders are yet come forwd to deliver it, shall be glad to receive orders so Soon as may be respecting the Lynch as She is at present haul'd up, but rimains in pay. I have had no intelligence of the hancock or Franklin since they Sail'd wch is now four weeks But hope soon to have good tidings. the Lee Sail'd Last week.
this day the independant Company making a most Respectable Apperance set of[f] for Newbury to Accompany Capt McNeil [Hector McNeill] to this port in the boston Frigat, & this hour a large Ship from Antigua prize to the putnam of providence Anchored here
Your friends are great disappointd in they happiness they promised themselves in Seeing you this Fall but none more than Your [&c.]