Dear Sir

I wrote on the 4^th. Instant & not finding any Conveyance it now remains on hand, & I suppose will reach you with this. Yours of the 3^d & 4^th: have just reached me my last will account for your not having a line by the Eastern Post, I am Sorry we are disappointd in our Expectation of Cannon from Salisbury,¹ it is my opinion that we must have them on the best Terms we possibly can from Providence, and that the Mould should be sent for down, as we may Suppose that the Expence of Transportation of the Mould would be Trifling in comparison of the odds it will make in the Cannon, I think we never agreed on any terms for the Cannon. it was left with M^r Huntington² & he alone can determine that matter, I believe we had better engage for this Ship³ first more especially as it Seems to be Undetermin'd what Cannon the Norwich Ship shall carry, I wish she may be able to carry 18 pounders Cap^t Hopkins⁴ says his are not too heavy for the Ship, but it has been our opinion that 12 pound^rs. were to be preferred. if she will bear 18 pound^rs. or a Considerable part of them of that Size it will Certainly be best, but it is as Certain that there is a disadvantage in overloading the deck of a Ship, You & Cap^t Deshon⁵ will be best Able to Judge of this Matter, I am only waiting for a Team to Send forward the Blankets & will have one to Morrow if possible, I will write you an account of the Advances to the officers & people of the Sloop Sachem.⁶ Cap^t Burke⁷ has made his Escape & been here some time and is now bound to Congress, I wish for the Liberation of all officers & men who have been so Unhappy as to fall into the hands of the Enemy, particularly Such as are Severely used I am glad to find the Providence in such forwardness:⁸ I send you by the Bearer M^r. [blank] Fifteen hundred dollars in Current bills having no Certificates & Supposing these more Agreeable to you I am Your Friend [&c.] 

April 7^th: The officer of the Providence who brought your favour Engaged to call on me & I Intended to Send this & the money you wrote for by him he called at the office when we were all gone to dinner Some of the Family Seeing a Letter on the Table before prepared Unadvisedly Suffered him to take it on which he went off without my Seeing him I am still in quest of a Team to Carry the Blanketts without being able to procure one as yet shall Embrace first opportunity to forward this & the money—