[Extract]
Dr Governer

I shall lanch the Shearback² to day If the tide favver I have then no bodey to gard hir from the Enemy as they have taken ten of My yard People to March With the Molishe five Jurnemen and five apre[n]teses as I am left Quit Defenseless I Shuld think it Would be Well for you to order ten Soulgers With an officer to gard the two armed vesels till thay Can be got away I Was at anaplois yesterday With My People there thay Will have all the guns Removed that you ordred to day I have taken the liberty to order down by My People two Nine Pounders to Mount In the Shearbacks Head (and forteen Peses In hir Sids of Small Cannon Which We hav In the yard and Send Captain Davey [David] down to Convoier hir Whane you Would Chuse If you dont aprove of the Schem Plesse to let me no What you Would have dun With the Canon and all the other Stoars belonging to the State as they are of Great value I think they Culd not be Replaced for less then twelve thousand Pound What with Ankers Cabels Cordig Sails and the value of the vesels and Ship Chandley of all kinds Which I have Pro­voided for the State I think the Shearback at lest May be got Eather to baltemore or high up Petopes [Patapsco] . . .