Dear Sir,

I recd your's of Yesterday, & herewith Inclose you a Certificate from the Committee of safety that your having attended Colo [Richard] Corbin on board Lord Dunmores ship was by their permission. 2 I should have sent you a [copy] of their Letter to Colo [William] Grayson had th[ere been] an Entry made of it, tho' expect the [Certifi]cate will answer the same end. I re[turned] home the seventh day of March at which time I had not heard a Syllable of your having been on board the Dunmore [torn] untill I saw Wm Penn at this place some short time ago, who Informed me of it, & also that the people in Amherst were much displeased ー I shall set off on my way home on saturday next & will do you the Justice to inform the people the truth of the Case which I expect will remove their prejudices if any such there be. I do not know that there has been any business in the County which did particularly require your presence, & had that been the Case your Indisposition is a very sufficient excuse. We have Certain Intelligence that the Ministerial Troops have evacuated Boston without having destroyed any part thereof, & that General Washington is Now in possession of it. The Congress have taken all our Battalions on the Continental Establishment. I wish you better health & am Dear Sir [&c.]

W: Cabell