Agreed to furnish Mr. Willm Hest with 200 Bushels of salt to Enable him to procure Hemp from the Back Country for the use of the Navy —

Received a Letter from Capt. Thomas Pickering

Off Sunbury Thursday Noon [Nov. 7]

Mr. Blake Sir/

We left Charles Town Barr Yesterday about Ten OClock & having a fine Breese stood a Longshore all Night, & this Morning fell in with a sloop, after giving chase all day, we came up with her about Two oClock, she proved to be a French Sloop from the Cape bound for Charles Town Mr. Aberdie Master, he is the Gentleman who delivers You this. I Received several Articles from him before we parted, As he complained of being a stranger to the Place & People, I have taken the liberty to give him, these few lines to you; any services you can render him will infinitely Oblige me; the wind at Present is small and off the Land, am much afraid we shall be puzzled to make Sunbury, however shall do my Endeavours to discharge the trust reposed in me, the People upon Deck Call out a sail and as we are preparing to give Chace I must Conclude — I Remain, Sir [&c.]