Sir.

A schooner Arrived here Yesterday from Alexandria & brings such Accounts of the situation of the Entrance between the Capes, & of the Bay, that I think it next to Impossible for a vessel to get into Virginia or Maryland. to be sure the Chance is not I to 10. there are 7 sail of Men of War & 9Tenders who ride in different parts of the Bay. & shift their stations. they had taken when he came away 25 sail. Among which I presume are the two Schooners I chartered here, as they had not Arrived at Baltimore. in this way you must fail of geting the necessary quantity of flour. I have two Schooners ready to sail According to your Orders for Baltimore but on this Intelligence shall stay them till further Orders. I have talked with the Master & think it will be throwing these Schooners away to send them this Voayge. I propose to Order them the first wind to Boston where you may put on Board such Cargoes as you think proper, & send them to such places as may Answer some of your purposes. you must have Grain or flour & I think you must get it from the Carolinas. the Other Schooner will soon be ready. I have purchased three hhds rum. shall get two hhds sugar & with the 5 hhds of rum bot of me make A Cargo for her. I designed her for McTomkin, but that I also hear is in one of five Counties in Virginia Maryland & Pensilvania which have revolted to Howe. she must not go there, I believe I shall send her to Carolina. The Schooner I charterd Joshua Bartlett Mr is safe Arrived at Winyaw. I recd three hundred pounds by Doctr Roberts to whom refer you for perticulars of the Sarsaparilla & Am with Respect [&c.]

[P. S.] I recd your several Letters by Bartl[et] & shall Execute your orders as well as I possibly can