Honored and dear Sir;

As the situation of affairs in Pensylvania, when I sailed from Portsmouth, rendered the conveyance of Letters from the Eastern States not altogether certain, I take the Liberty of inclosing Copies of those which I had the honor of writeing to you while fitting out.

It is not in my Nature to persist intentionally in an Error, therefore I always wish to take the earliest Opportunity of Acknowledging a mistake; and as it now appears from the Situation of affairs, and more especially from the important Step that was taken in my favor by the Commissioners, in Obedience to the generous and liberal Sentiments and Orders of the Secret Committee, that Congress have had my Honor and Benefit at Heart: I must conclude also that it is not intended to Place me under the Command of Men, who durst not, or did not step forth as soon as myself, in this flattering belief I bid defiance to danger, and enjoy once more the cheerful Ardour and Spirit, which alone can animate and support an Officer in the Performance of his duty: to be continued in the Line wherein I stepped forth, and found acceptance at the beginning was, and is the height of my Ambitions; but for me to fight under Men, who held back, and did not appear in the first doubtful Juncture and who can not now teach me my duty is impossible, nor will it be expected by Men of Candour and Ingenuity.

When I have the Honor of hearing from the Commissioners, I will return my thanks to the Secret Committee, but what form of thanks shall I render to you? Words are wanting here! I am utterly at a loss, nor know I where, or how to begin. the Obligations I owe to you, are so many, so important, and were so unexpected, that I must be ungrateful indeed did I not feel more than I can express. but I detest Flattery, therefore Must decline the Subject, least I should enrobe fair Truth in that fallacious dress. yes Sir, I feel, by a Prophetic impulse in my Breast, that I shall either manifest a grateful Sense of your Friendship by my conduct in Life, or by meeting my Death in support of the great Cause wherein you have born, so noble and so respected a part.

It gives me Pain to inform you that I found M^r F.¹ to be a Person different from what I thought him in America; he is subject to drink even to intoxication, which is at least a weakness utterly incompatible with the Characteristick of a good Officer; however Charity obliges me to think it rather a Habit acquired from disappointment than a constitutional Vice.

The care which France is now taking of her Seaman, ought to have some Weight with America; they have Ships of War stationed in all their Ports to make strict search, and to prevent the departure of French Seamen in foreign Ships. As America must become the first Marine Power in the World, the care and increase of our Seamen is a consideration of the first Magnitude, and claims the full attention of Congress. that our Seamen have decreased is a sad reality. that they will continue to decrease is as certain, unless effectual measures are taken to prevent it. I have seen with Indignation, the sordid Adventurers in Privateers sporting away the Sinews of our Marine: for notwithstanding the many Captures that have been made how triffling a proportion of Prisoners have been brought into our Ports, and given up for Exchange. Publick Virtue is not the Characteristick of the concerned in Privateers, no wonder then that they let their Prisoners go, in such a manner, that they immediately augment the Strength of the Enemies Fleet. their selfishness furnishes them with Reasons for this conduct; were they to keep their Prisoners, their Provision would be the sooner consumed; which might perhaps oblige them to return home before they had sufficiently glutted their Avarice? besides there might be some danger from insurrections. these and the like are with them all-prevailing motives and bear down every Public consideration.

Were this base Conduct practised by those licensed Robbers alone "I should have found within my Soul one drop of Patience”² but to find Individuals in our Navy affected with the same foul Contagion racks me with distressing Passions, and covers me with Shame! One Instance, among many, may be sufficient. the redoubtable Manly went near the Entrance of S. Johns and, disdaining Advantages, made the Enemy a Present of Eighty Seamen at once. Such Conduct on our part, at a time when our cruel Enemies are enforceing an Act of their Parliament, by the indiscrimenant confinement of our Subjects in English dungeon's, not as Prisoners of War, but under the complicated Appelations of “Traitors,” & Pirates & "Felons”! whose Necks they wish to destain to the Cord! and whose Hearts they wish to destain to the Flames! is a wonder “passing Strange”! and will be deemed Romance by future Ages. were an examplary Punishment to be inflicted, on all who are thus regardless of the Intrests of America, it is to be hoped that such infernal Practices would cease.—every Prisoner of whatsoever denomination, and however distant when taken, ought to be brought into³