[Extract]

Dear Sir I am just return'd from attending the remains of our worthy

Friend Govr [Samuel] Ward to the place appointed for all the Humain

ease His better part took its flight to world of Spirits on Tuesday morning

... My last was by Express to Cambridge inclosing Bill Loading & invoice of your flour, which I wish safe to hand, but am somthing doubtful of it as the Coast is much infested with pirates its reported that a 40 gun ship is at the Capes The Lexington is gone down. 2 The M.C. [Marine Committee] have bot another ship which will be ready to sail in a week. 3 The Battery goes down to her stati[on] tomorrow 4 & the Province ship will follow her in a few days. 5 We have.a report that our fleet is at So~th Carolina, but no certain advice of it I suppose you vissited Boston in you way, pray give me a particular accot how you found matters there-... I expect them Devils from the other side the water very soon its said they will certainly be here by the middle of April ー ...