The hon John Hancock Esqr

I have the honour to Acqut You with the Arrival of a French Armed ship at portsmo having on board twelve thousand stand Arms one thousand bbs powder and a quany of Woolin & Linen Goods with Cannon for the Raleigh; she got into portsmouth las tuesday² the post (Mr Noble) Assures me that the above account may be depended upon, and farther says that a fifty Gun ship sail'd with her from franee for this port, having on board fifty Brass Cannon, with a plenty of goods he also says that the Copy of a remonstrance and protest of the Court of France against the Empress of Russia's furnishing Britain with troops, declaring if she does France will oppose them, is come in this ship ー I most heartily congratulate you Sir on this very important News it seems probable that that Kingdom which sat as queen among the Nations, will by there haughty, tyranical, wicked treatment of the best subjects any Tyrant could boast of, be reduced to the controul of a power that she Lately held in contempt ー I must view the arrival of those Arms as a smile of heaven on Us, for we realy were distres'd for want of them, and new rais'd Levies waiting & could not march to the Northward for want of them I had sent an Express to Govr Cook but tuesday last to desire him to return twelve of Eighteen hundred Arms he had borrow'd, we had obtaind an order to him from Genl Washington for that purpose, hope the two Vessells long ere this are at Baltimore ー I rejoyce at your return to Phila and hope we shall be favour'd with your presence soon ー I was going to send a quintle fish in the money Waggon but Mr [William] Bant desired me to keep it till you came the post is Just going ー I am with the most Gratefull Sentiments of Affection [&c.]