Gentlemen

I have the Honour to acquaint you that in consequence of an application from the Council of the State to me to provide a proper vessell to carry some dispaches to France I Furnish'd her in a proper manner for so important an Errand, and yesterday she sail'd after being detain'd three days by Contrary winds.² l have sent Capn John Adams Master of the paq. A man of a Vivid Sprightly make and very Capable, he has every necessary precaution both from the council & myself, respecting his Conducting himself in case of danger. I ma[ke] no doubt he will Aquit himself to the Satisfaction of the honble Committee ー I shoul'd have been glad to have made a greater Remittance by this vessell but the inclemency of the weather has been such that it has prevented some Articles being sent to town wch I had engaged. I therefore rather than send her in ballast only took out of the Brig Tryton on[e] hundred teirces Salmon that with a trifle of pearl Ash & twenty Seven barrels Oil is all the Cargo Ive sent Amounting to £602 . 17 . . 1 I am waiting Orders how to dispose of the Brig Tryton & to be directed what to fill her up with, she has now three hundred teirces of Salmon on board.

By a Letter I Recd two d[ays] since from Mr [Leonard] Jarvis I find the Ship Esther was not sail'd she was destin'd for Rappahannock, but last eveg were rec'd Alarming Accounts that the Capes of Virginia are so throng'd with British cruisers that its impossible to escape them therefore I should Order the Esther to south Carolina if my Letter can reach Mr Jarvis in time she is the finest Merchant ship in America. I have purchas'd only two of the four vess[els] ordered, shall purchase the Millish [Mellish] Cloathing ship which will be sold the week after next Post I have the honour to be Your [&c.]