Sir,

I have sent Mr [Nathaniel] Shaw 200 lb of Powder according to Order. The Committee of Suffolk County have desired me to remain here for a few days till they hear from their Provincial Congress to whom they have sent an express, with their desire that the three Companies raised upon this part of the Island, who have received Orders to march to Ticonderoga, may remain upon this Station ー As we know not what use we may have for powder, and as I before informed your honour I lent 200 lb of my own Stock to the Provincial Congress, I think it unsafe under our present situation to return the whole ー I expect by next monday to sail for New York ー Your honour well knows the suspicious light in which the New York Congress are viewed by the rest of the Continent, I must herefore beg of your honour to alter that part of your Orders to me, in which you subject me to the direction of that body of men ー I have no faith in their honesty in the Cause, I must therefore think it not only a disgrace to me, but a dishonour to my employers that I am subjected to them ー You know not Sir half their tricks ー Your honour will be good enough to direct to me at New Haven where I expect to stop a day or two & if I am not there to be forwarded to Harlem I am [&c.]