My Dear Sir 

Your favor of y^e 13^th Ulto came to hand Yesterday¹ I have no expectation that an alteration will take place agreeable to my proposal especially as my plan is objected too by a French man, I have had a conversation with M^r. Landais since he left Congress on that subject he seems very fond of his own child which is natural enough to suppose, but he can offer nothing of sufficient weight to alter my sentiments, on the contrary, since talking with him I am more confirmed in my own opinion—These French men who are not perfectly acquainted with our Language have a very convenient way of getting over difficulties, when they cannot answer your objections, they do not understand you—however experience will bring us right in time I hope—I am sure it will convince us that this plan for 56 Gun ships will never answer our purpose—² 

I am much obliged for your perticular accot of the French fleet, which I find Differs from the newspaper acco^ts-I heartily wish this Fleet may answer our most sanguine expectations, but I am very apprehensive that (unless they are very quick in their motions) a Fleet from Britain will be a long side of them before they are ready to rece[ive] them—we are in daily expectation of hearing of some Grand Operations—Sullivan it seems is to attack New port but he cannot be ready for such an attack, by his making a requisition very lately of assistance from this state³ no orders are yet Issued from the Executive authority here; it will be very difficult for this state to spare any men at this Busy season we are already thoroughly drained of men—I suppose we have as large a proportion as any state in the Union in the public service, that are sent by the state, nearly as many more have enlisted in the Massachusetts Regiments, & vast numbers are gone a Privateering so that we have hardly any males left but Old men & Boys, if we send any more Soldiers I believe they must be females we may spare a considerable number of that sort, & have enough left for Breeders.- I don't learn that Gen^l. Sulliv[an] has more then 5 or 6000 men & its said the Enemy have 7000 at New Port.—⁴ There has been no arrivals this way for some time past, all the intelligence from Europe must come from Your way I therefore wish you wo^d furnish as much as possible.... 

I hope Chesapeak & Delaware Bays are now open for our Northern Vessels & the States Bordering on them able to furnish us with a little Bread which I assure you we are in great want of one third of the Families in this town are half their time without Bread tho' if the information I have is true very considerable quantities are in the Country but that is in the hands of Farmers who don't want money, therefore will not part with their corn, what little is bro^t to town is sold at 7.& 8. dolls p^r Bushel in short the Produce of the country in general is by far dearer then any foreign articles.— ... I am [&c.]