[Extract]
My Dear Sir,

I rec’d your’s of the 10^th of May a few days ago and wish I could give you any thing new and entertaining. The most interesting intelligence soon grows old, and we are constantly looking out for something new. I don’t wonder that Solomon Said all was vanity so soon as he had discovered that there was nothing new under the Sun,¹ for if it were not for the expectation of something new life would be but a dull Scene, like an old reiterated tale. There would be an end to curiosity, which stimulates to the acquisition of knowledge; and the world would be involved in one long night of ignorance and darkness. The most important intelligence that we could expect was, that Providence had disposed some European Power to stand forth in support of injured innocence and the violated rights of mankind. France hath been disposed to enter into an alliance with us and upon terms of equality and reciprocity, herein discovering a magnanimity worthy of the most Christian King. We have illuminations and fired our feu de joie on this occasion, and it is already become and old Story. We are now looking out for further alliances and commissioners from Britain to treat with us. We have not as yet heard that war was declared between France and Britain. It will be inevitable unless Britain can bring down her proud stomach to relish Sound policy, to acknowledge our Independency, and make peace with us. Whether the haughty insolent Thane² can Stoop to this, or not you are a good judge. I should with you, perhaps, have been willing that France should have continued in her usual way to have supported us, had not I, in contemplation the divesting of Britain of every foot of land upon this Continent. I think it absolutely necessary to a future, lasting peace that we should be possessed of Canada, Nova Scotia and the Floridas, which we cannot so well effect without the open assistance of France. We have gained great reputation by our arms and humanity throughout Europe, and I believe even Britain herself begins to think us invincible. It is most certain that if she had not been secretly and openly aided by our own countrymen, she must have long since been compelled to give over her vain attempts. Hereafter when peace and independency shall be established, temptations to disaffection, the preservation of property and office, or the expectation of them will cease, and unite truly like a band of brothers, we may bid defiance to the world. Commerce and Agriculture must be our great objects— the latter as the basis of the former and the former must be Supported by a proper Marine. I wish we had a respectable Navy, but as matters are circumstanced we must go through the war with a Small one. Your plan for a Navy is approved excepting that part of it which proposes the turning of the 74 gun Ships into frigates³ which M^r: Landais, whom the Committee imagine is a very good judge thinks would not do. He hath proposed that they should be constructed to carry only two batteries; the lower battery to consist of twenty eight 24 pounders and the upper one of as many 18 pounders. In this way he says that the 56 gun ship will make as good a battle as a 74, be stronger, sail faster, take less men, be built quicker and be much cheaper. The Committee have laid his Scheme before Congress: it was approved and I suppose the Committee will direct Mr Langdon to pursue the building of the intended 74 on Landais plan.⁴

Our future frigates will be such as you describe: with two 56 gun ships and half a dozen such frigates under good Commanders, we should oblige our Enemy’s Ships to go in Squadrons, or capture them wherever we Saw them. But without brave Skillful Captains it is in vain to equip fleets. I don’t know which is the most Criminal not to assist a Ship overpowered by numbers, or to deliver up a Ship without firing a gun.⁵ If the Devil were a coward, I should think that he possessed some of our sea Captains; but the Devil it seems, according to Milton, fought boldly against Michael,⁶ and he is able and valiant enough, we are told, to maintain a dominion in our world even against the Messiah himself: from whence I infer the Devil wants neither courage nor stratagem. But to be serious, it is indeed melancholy to contemplate our little fleet: two frigates burnt in the North River,⁷ two burnt and one taken in the Delaware,⁸ one taken without firing a gun,⁹ and one lost for want of a pilot, I mean the Virginia. The story is briefly this. After being cooped up in the Chesapeake for more than a twelve month, She made several essays to get out, but to no purpose. Once she had almost reached the Capes, but the Lieutenant,¹⁰ who it is said was well acquainted with the Bay, refusing to act as pilot She put back. Captain Nicholson informed the Committee of this circumstance, and that it was impossible for him to get a pilot without he had the assistance of Gov^t.; whereupon the Committee wrote to Gov^r. Johnston and desired him to empower Capt Nicholson to impress a pilot if one could not be otherwise obtained, and at the same time ordered Capt Nicholson to push out if a favorable opportunity should offer.¹¹ The Governor would not give him the power desired and he could not procure one to take the charge of his Ship notwithstanding he made very generous offers. It happened at this time that the Purviances¹² had a brig bound to sea with an old pilot on board. Nicholson agreed to give him £100 to pilot him out which he consented to accordingly they set sail in the evening with a fine wind, ran down the Bay without any opposition until midnight, when they Struck on the middle ground. After thumping Some time she got over it, but leaked very much and her rudder was broke to pieces. In this Situation they anchored and waited for day. When the day dawned they found two or three of the enemy’s ships near them. Capt Nicholson ordered out the barge, and with some of his men, the wind blowing violently, attempted to reach Cape Henry which he happily effected.¹³

The enemy took possession of the ship with all her guns and Stores, towed her up to Hampton Road, repaired or made a new rudder and have since Sent her to New York.¹⁴ This acc^t. as nearly as I can remember was given by Capt Nicholson to the Marine Committee and with this shall end the chapter of losses: for I mean to say nothing about the loss of smaller armed vessels— nor will I censure or acquit any officer. Committees of Inquiry are ordered upon Nicholson, Thompson, Manly, Hacker &c &c.¹⁵ I hope that the inquiries will be strict and impartial. Congress have lately passed a resolution punishing cowardice with death. A little Bynging would be of infinite service.¹⁶ Capt Thompson is suspended, and Barre appointed to the command of the Raleigh and it is proposed that the Warren and Raleigh Should Sail in a cruise in company.¹⁷ The Commander of those Ships are brave men and I dare Say will not loose their Ships through cowardice. . . . In the mean time and always I shall continue to be with great esteem and respect [&c.]

The Mass^tts. Representatives send their respects Give mine to Mr Stevens.¹⁸