(1st Letter.)

My dear Brother Elnathan, I was just on the point of returning to New England when the convention appointed me a Lieut. of Marines on board the ship Defence. She is a fine ship, and mounts 18 guns, sixes and nines, and is commanded by Capt. James Nicholson who is universally considered a brave man. The crew of the Defence are as fine a set of men as were ever seen on shipboard. After I entered the Defence, news was brought that a British sloop of war which mounted 20 guns, with two tenders, one of 8, the other of ー [4], was just below the town, and had taken a large ship valued at £14,000, and eight or ten small craft. Though unprepared, Capt. Nicholson gave orders to fall down the river. When the news arrived we had in but 10 guns, but we got in 8 more that night, though they were in very bad order. We went down the river in a fog with 220 men & had proceeded about ten miles when we discovered the enemy & the ship they had taken & the small craft within two miles. As soon as we saw them all hands gave three loud cheers that made the very welkin ring, but the enemy immediately made sail, and left all their prizes in our possession. Another vessel of the enemy lay four miles below, and we waited for them to come and give battle, as they had orders to take the Defence, or not return again to Virginia. Though our ship was inferior to that of the enemy, we were much disappointed in not attacking them, for some time before night the British made sail & we have not seen them since. They have left the whole bay clear, but we hope to sail this week, unless we have orders to stay and guard the town. We received the thanks of the Council of Safety, Committee and County in general. Give my best love to my Father, Brother, Sisters and your family, and believe me ever most affectionately yours.