Dear Sir: I was this morning sent for by Captain Barkley and Major Grant, who presented me with your letter of yesterday to them: in answer to which, I must observe, that, when you authorized Mr. Roberts and myself to declare to those gentlemen that a cessation of hostilities should cease until the vessels got down to Cockspur, I did not imagine it implied that we should have liberty to return. I therefore particularly request you will do nothing till we reach Cockspur. By that time you can consider what is best to be done; and everything in our power will be exerted to bring matters to some favourable issue. With regard to Captains Inglis and Wardell being detained, I most earnestly wish they may be included with the other masters of vessels, to have the liberty of sailing with their ships. I imagine Captain Barkley and Major Grant will expect those gentlemen are entitled to the same indulgence as the others; and as I am now very confident no hostilities are meant against the Province, the detention of those vessels may only aggravate matters, and their enlargement may be productive of something very agreeable in the event. I have just to conclude, with my usual esteem and regard, dear sir, [&c.]

P. S. I have just had intimation of some intrenchment being thrown up at or near Mr. Bryan's Plantation. If so, I sincerely wish it may be stopped, as it can answer no good purpose. I would rather suffer every inconvenience from my confinement than any further hostilities should be commenced; for I would, in that case, think myself partly the cause.