[York, Pa.] 1st May 1778
[Extract] Sir
. . . The loss of the Randolph and of the many precious lives in the same stroke is affecting— this account came in contact with intelligence of the Capture and loss of the Frigates Virginia, Columbus and Alfred,1 ancient & venerable characters, but we have Wood enough to Christen with the same names, our Enemy has suffered greater losses & have not Wood & other materials in such abundance, therefore we have least cause for despondency, a New York paper which will go inclosed to Mr Gervais will shew the Enemys account of the Ill fated Randolph—2 had we had Men on this spot competent to the arrangement of our Treasury & finances, Men of knowledge virtue and spirit, adequate to the labour of stemming the torrent of peculation which has overwhelmed us with debt and brown paper dollars, we should have less cause to regret the loss of four Frigates—these are gone, I trust and devoutly pray, the Eyes of these slumbering States may be opened and wise measures adopted for averting the loss of their Independence . . .
Copy, ScHi, Henry Laurens Papers, Copy Book. Addressed above opening: "His Excellency/Rawlins Loundes/South Carolina."
1. On the loss of the Continental frigates Randolph, Virginia, Columbus, and Alfred, see respectively, Capt. Nicholas Vincent, R.N., to Vice Adm. James Young, 17 Mar. 1778, NDAR 11: 683–84; Capt. James Nicholson to the Continental Marine Committee, 2 Apr., above; William Vernon to the Continental Navy Board of the Eastern Dept., 25 Mar. 1778, and Capt. Walter Griffith, R.N., to Vice Adm. Viscount Howe, 28 Mar, 1778, NDAR 11: 786, 815; James Warren to John Gill, 20 Apr., above.
2. The account Laurens referred to appeared in the New-York Gazette: and Weekly Mercury of 6 Apr. 1778. He enclosed it to John Lewis Gervais, Laurens's friend and a member of the South Carolina legislature.