[Extract]
Dear Sir

. . . I mentioned to you in a former letter¹ that we had laid an embargo & were fitting out a Small Fleet, our little Squadron, went out I think last Friday,² consisting of the Randolph, Notre Dame, & three other Vessels³—Steering Southwardley, next day two Ennemy's Frigates were in Sight again,⁴ from which we conclude they had not seen them, the report is they are gone to Turks's Island to take a twenty Gun Ship that lies there to prevent us from getting Salt, & several Vessels loaden with that necessary Article—probably we shall not Know their real destination till they return. Last Saturday it was moved to send a message to the president⁵ to know the reason of this embargo & why the house were not informed of it in a parliamentary way—the president returned an answer the Same Morning by the Master in Chancery acquainti[n]g the house, that the measure had been determined during the recess of the house, that contrary Winds & other circumstances had prevented the Squadron to sail Sooner, that this armement was made to put a Stop to the depradations of the Ennemy—that the night before he took off the embargo contrary to the Opinion of a Majority of the privy Council, as he thought a longer continuance was injurious to trade—that this embargo was so notorious, that he thought if the house had disaproved of it he should have heard from them—. . . . I remain truly Dear Sir [&c.]