[Extract]

Dear Josa  The Annapolis² is not so forward as I reported ー Doctr Stewart his Son Geo. Diggs, Alex Hanson & I am told several others go in her the Doctor goes Home to take possession in full of his family Estate which it is said is several hundred a Year  I wrote you a long Ltr by the Doctor which Care his Son I expect will deliver you  I make no Doubt but that you will treat them all with Complaisance  Geo. Digges claims more  he is a warm American & a good Man ー Nothing of great Consequence lately from the Camp nor any Certainty of late Measures in England  some times we learn of 6 some times of 8 additional Regiments being ordered  then again that they are stopped you may safely judge of the anxious State I am in,  if I am now reduced to the Necessity of relinquishing all Hope of a happy Reunion with the Mother Country I shall then have but one Object  I think I can then arm my Mind so as to meet Adversity like a Man or continue sober in prosperity  it is an extream difficult Task to have a [illegible] to defend our Liberties  it has as yet been attempted but if a Civil War must rage we must to draw the whole of the Continent into Action go on a more extensive plan ー If the war is persued you must settle your Affairs as soon as you can & you had better leave England  you can have little or no Communication with your friends here as Correspondence with me is or soon will be treasonable  I would have you be very careful of what you write you can do your Country no Service by a Freedom of writing to your Friends & therefore avoid it  I would have you determine if necessary & servicable to send a [illegible] but to do an Act which could efect nothing but your own Destruction would be folly & Madness . . .

I cannot but repeat to you that Geo Digges is worthy of every attention you can show Him you may be free with him