Baltimore 5 OClock Satd Morng [March 9]

Dear Sir I am obliged to you for Mr Jennifers Letter. I am so perfectly easey about the Ship at War disturbing us that I shall not on that Score awaken Any body till morngー

The Elk Ridge Battalion came in late this evening, I was raised at One OClock to Receive a Letter from Coll Lee which I sent off at that Hour by a Person who woud convey it directly to Capt [James] Nicholson ー I let him know that the Committee had determd to fit out the Schr we talked of I hoped to have her ready to Sail by 2 OClock & that our main design in it was to strengthen him with a fresh Reinforcemt of Hands shoud he be weakend by taking & Manning any of the Tenders or Hudsons Ship ー I thout it of much Importce that Nicholson shoud immediately know of our Intention to strengthen him ー I recommd to him to tow all Night in Order if possible to be up or nearly so with Hudsons Ship before day light, lest the Tenders seeing him coming might have time to escape him. ー I am perfectly satisfied from every thing I have heard of the Otter, that Nicholson is very capable of taking her, if he can be so lucky as to catch the largest Sloop of which I think there is the greatest probability. -

I have not a doubt we can have the Schr ready in the time I mentd & to have her well Mand with brave Fellows. I am [&c.]

[P.S.] The Brass Field Peices for Virga are come, & I shall detain them at least One day till the Matter is nearer Issue