My Dear Brother

I have just got here after one of the most disagreeable Passages that ever I experienced ー We sprung our Fore Mast and were forcd to get every thing of[f] it to keep it from going over the side. And a few days after we lost our Main Mast which gave way even with the deck, and gave us little more warning than was Necessary to stand from Under. As it Blew a fret of wind and a very high Sea going to see it stagger from side to side with the rowl of the Vessel was as unpleasant a sight as ever I wish to behold. We Rigged Jury Masts and very fortunately have got in just before a Gale of Wind came on that would undoubtedly put us ashore. The Randolph is the very Best Vessel for Sailing that ever I knew I hope soon to be out in Her again ー ²

A Person of Credit Declares to me that He knows those Spars our Masts were made of to have lain these 18 Years in the Water at the Mast Yard ー

A Gentleman told me today that He se[e] Charle ³ in Hispaniola the Middle of January That he was well and had Purchased a Brigg very Cheap. Said that He was either to come here or go to Philadelphia ー

I lost 14 or 15 Men in the Passage by sickness but have been very Hearty Myself Give my Love to Fanny⁴ and the Family. I will write more fully when I have more Leisure. If an oppertunity Offers soon do embrace it and let me know how Neddy ⁵ is ー

To Mr James Biddle in Philadelphia p Express