Dear Sirー

This will be delivered to you by Mr [John] Young, a young gentleman of fortune, from Philadelphia, as I am informed. His errand to Boston is to offer himself a volunteer to General Howe. During six weeks' residence on board the Phoenix, his behavior was such as to entitle him to every civility I could shew him, and from his request take the liberty of presenting him to you.

The sloop Francis is loaded with naval stores, tobacco, &c. In the article of tobacco, she has a great deal more than is cleared out from the custom house. I therefore presume that becomes forfeited to the captors, by the acts of trade. Should this be the case, I beg you will be pleased to allow your secretary to sell it as our agent. There is also a strong suspicion that the ship loaded with salt has wines and other merchandise under the salt.
² The owners of both these vessels are good subjects to the King, and I have assured them they will be treated with as much lenity as the times will admit of.

Since I had the honour of writing to you on the 25th of last month, I find General Lee is ordered to Canada to take command of the army in that country, and a General Schuyler to have the command at this place. Lee has pulled down the north curtain of the fort, and is now entrenching what was called the Bowling Green. The privateer, it is said, has certainly sailed from Philadelphia.

I am, Sir, with great esteem [&c.]