My Dear Sir,

Your favor of the 19th March I rec'd yesterday. I heartily rejoice at the arrival of the two powder vessels, but you don't tell me where they are from, what news they bring, what is become of the other vessels &c. What think you of the retreat of the Barbarians from Boston ー it will be a pretty story to tell their master. What's the general opinion with you of the notable commissioners that are coming over. I hope either Col. Bartlett, or you will be here to receive their Low Mightenesses. Some people here (I mean out of doors) are for shutting them up the moment they land: however, I hope they will be treated with civility and sent back with a flea in the ear, for I cannot possibly think they are commissioned for any good, nor can 1 yet realize their coming.

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There is a forty gun ship now laying at the Capes: the brig Lexington went down before we heard of her being there. We have now a ship fitting

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out that will go down in a few days: these vessels were intended to clear the coast of the tenders that are so troublesome.

Admiral Hopkins was at New Providence the 4th inst where he finds a great number of cannon, say 200 and a large quantity of ball, but they had sent off all their powder except 16 barrels: he'll take all the military Stores. The North Carolina people have taken 1800 stand of arms from the rebels there and found a chest of money in a stable, said to contain £15,000 Sterg I hope Hopkins will give a good account of Dunmore, [Lord William] Campbell, or [Josiah] Martin, or all of them before he returns. I hope you'll be able to get your anchors at Boston ー don't know where the guns will come from, but suppose from Providence where they are casting cannon with Success ー just heard of the arrival of a considerable quantity of duck at Rhode Island: the ships building there, and at Newbury are supplied, so I imagine you may be supplied from thence ー there is about 4½ tons powder lately arrived at Rhode Island and about the same quantity in Virginia, ー the mills going on briskly so I hope we shall be well supplied with that article ー Several large quantities which were expected, it's to be feared have fallen into the enemy's hands.

Tell Dr Brackett to write to me and let me know how the politics of Portsmouth stand: can they yet reconcile themselves to that illustrious stranger that was so much feared. 4 Common Sense has made all the Southern Colonies his friend, and I hope the Northern Colonies will soon open their arms to receive him. It's my opinion under the rose that the salvation of America depends on him ー more of that hereafter

Your assured friend &c