[Extract]

Dear Sir  booth Leeds & Chappell be still here, & hope in the morning a Wind will offer, a sloop that saild two days ago with a Clearance for a foreign Island was Stopt by the Asia man of War & Sent back & in Consiquence of what Capt Vandeput said, she yesterday Cleared out for an English Island & went down again this morning & was again Stopt & overhauld by the Asia & finding all Right agreeable to her Clearance, was Dischard & Proceeded on her Way with a Certificate from Capt Vandeput, to let her pass the two 40 gun Ships now at Sandy hook ー

yesterday we had Acct of two 40 gun ships Arriving at Sandy hook, the Rhobuck & the [Phoenix] booth was come to Winter here with the asia and by Request of Dunmore One of them is orderd to Virginia & wich of the two will Winter here is as yet Uncertain, as this sloop has been admitted to pass this day, I make no doubt, Chappell & Leeds will be admitted to pass in Ballast, as they be booth Cleared for Jamaica  my only fear is for Leeds, your Renownd name being in the Register, the Pilot that Carries Leeds down will give me Information on his going from the hook, in Consiquence of wich I shall take care to advise Whartons of their Sailing from the hook, wish you had wrote me of their Intended Voyage & on their sailing  woud have advised the flower being sent to Reedy Island for fear of the Ice as the Season is so far advanced fear they will not get up to Phila ー I am now shipg you some more flower by Jno Harris, as I fear One of the 40 gun ships may come in our East River & stop us, hope he will sail to morrow ー am obliged to pay Cash for flower... ²

our Provintial Congress have made a house & doubt not a good one & firm to the Cause & hope all will go Right here ー by Acct by a Vessell here I learn E & W L Sloop was at sd Asd & has some of the Need ー & hope she is saif by this [Post.]