D^r. Sir

Y^r. favours of the 23^d. & 27 Ult.¹ I duely rec^d. & should have replied sooner but from the dailey expectation that a Courier express would set out. He is still delayed & for aught I know may be a day or two longer. I approve much of y^r.sentiments as to Vessels of War expressed in yours of the 27^th. & most sincerely hope it may be soon in our Power to put something of consequence in Execution—for some time past and even at present I find difficulties on every side: want of independent Funds, want of Bold Spirited Protection with many other Items of the kind Clog & weigh us down whenever we would attempt any thing of consequence. I have the highest Opinion of the merits of Capt. Jones & of his active Zeal for the service believe me Sir he shall not trifle away a moments time at Paris on my acc^t. But tho' my whole time is Devoted to Business at the same time I must necessarily give attendance to that which first & most immediately presses, especially in proportion to its importance. I am glad to find that Capt. Green will be ready with the other Vessels & depend you will make the necessary regulations on that subject. Capt. Nicholson will be ordered for Boston or Portsmouth in New England, the Com^rs. Judging those to be the most certain Ports under the present situation of Affairs. I am very sorry to find that M^r. Hodge has been ill, but hope it is only some sudden turn which the News of the taking of Philadelphia may have had on his Spirits[.] He is a worthy honest plain young man & I really Love & esteem him. I shewed your Letter² on the Subject of Cunninghams Cutter to M^r. Lee but as yet have no Answer. I thank you most sincerely for y^r. Kind hints and Cautions—they are just, they are Seasonable & come I am sure from a heart which wishes me well and is anxious for my present situation. I have not been regardless of the gathering Clouds & have long since Known that what can be done will be done ag^t. me; yet should it so happen that these men should be victorious rest assured that their Victory will finally prove their ruin, & public Disgrace—at least I will never take measures to Counteract them which would make me appear little in my own Eyes, & little I must be, when put on their Level. I send you inclosed a Letter for M" Hodge, if you Know his direction send it to him. My last Letters from Spain mention that Cunningham had taken several Prizes & Sold them in the Ports of Spain without difficulty. The Cornrs. may or may not agree to the proposal I made you & M^r. Hodge; it is for them to determine immediatly. The Subject is properly laid before them & of Course I am clear of any blame in it; let it be delayed or not.³ We are in hopes dailey of receiving news that the troops & militia to the South have exerted themselves & put Gen^l. Howe on a footing with Gen^l. Burgoyne, but at this moment we are really destitute of News of almost any Kind that may be relied on you must excuse my not answering y^r. several Letters earlier & accept of the present if not as a payment in full at least as being on acc^t. I am &c.