Gentlemen

On the near Approach of the Enemy to our Capital, we ordered all our naval Stores Slops &c together with the Books & Papers of the Navy Board, Pay office & Comm^rs of Naval Stores to be embarked in the Frigates & the Packet Mercury. After much Toil & no small Expence our Ships arrived safe at this Place. Our next Care was to send off the Books & Papers of the several Offices to Easton & to dispose of the Stores, Provi­sions &ca in Places of Secrecy at some Distance from the water. Some we have dispersed in Farm Houses a few Miles back; others we have put into Shallops to run up Cross­wick's Creek out of the Reach of present Danger. We have likewise taken Charge of the Ship Lion Cap^t: Wilson, of whose valuable Cargoe a great part is Continental:

We sincerely congratulate the Marine Committee on  the late glorious Success of the American Arms in the Battle of Saturday last;¹ attended with such little Loss on our Parts, & such fatal Effects to the Enemy We also rejoice with you on the very promising aspect of affairs in the Northern Department. We flatter ourselves that our tempestuous Voyage is almost over—that we are already in Soundings, and one favourable Blast more will waft us to the Shores of Peace & Security. We have the Ho­nour to be [&c.]

Honble Marine Committee

P.S. The enclosed Letters to M^r. Morris and M^r. Braxton were delivered to us by M^r. Wilson formerly Lieut^t of the Sloop Independence,² & was taken in the Sloop Morris³ & carried in to Hallifax from whence he made his Escape.—