Sir

I rec^d your Letter by M^r Bradford dated the 1^s In^{s 1} and should have answerd it before this time, but expected he would have returnd in a few Days and have been the bearer of it—he has however been detaind on acco^t the exhausted state of our Treasury—and I am afraid he will not, on that account, be able to leave this for Several Days—the first Money that comes in he shall have for the purpose of paying the Mens Wages, and for the Commissary to purchase Provisions with—

I greatly lament the Situation the Fleet has been reduced to—I know every exertion in your power has been made to render it servicable to your Country and I am now well convinced, from many Circumstances, that both Officers & Men in Many Boats Merit praise—rather than deserve Censure—the reproaches of some has proceeded, I dare say, from Ignorance of the Orders given or want of knowledge of their circumstances and of Others from a desire to throw the blame from off their own shoulders on to those of others—when I wrote you from Head Quarters it was in consequence of a Letter shewn to me by His Excell^y. 2 from Gen Varnum, wherein some reflections were cast on some of the Boats as not obeying your Signals—it was proper you should be made acquainted with that Gentlemans Opinion of them, in order that if he was mistaken, you might have an opport^y. to Say so;—if otherwise that the proper punishment might be inflicted on the delinquents—Your Letter to me, which was read in Council, has satisfied them that the Officers & Men of your Fleet, generelly, have behaved with a spirit & Vigor that does them great Honor—and that the thanks of their Country is due to their services, there are others, it is too true, who have disgraced the American Arms—but it would be hard that the brave & Virtuous Should bear the Infamy of the base Conduct of cowards and Traitors—

I wrote a few Lines to Coll Bradford, the other Day, & mentiond to him my Opinion with regard to the place where the Fleet should be Secured during the winter³—I thought the wharfes Near Trenton, of M^r Richards & Turrnar & Hunts, would be as Safe as any I could recollect—but your self & the Navy Board, with your principal Officers are more Competant Judges than Council can pretend to be—

I have sent down for the Use of the Boats Crews 4 hh^ds Whisky—and 180 P Shoes & as many pair of Stockings—these I hope you have rec^d—I shall endeaver to procure more Cloathing & send them forward as soon as possible—The bearer is waiting have, therefore only time to request a Line from you as often as convenient—In the mean time—I remain [&c.].