[Extract]

My Dear Brother

On our Arrival on this Coast we took a few Vessels the Masters of which informd us of a fleet being in Newport which we thought much stronger than ourselves. And we Began to look Round for a safe port to Shelter in. When at 1 Oclock on the Morning of the 7th of April we saw a Ship to leeward dogging of us as we steerd off Shore. As it was well known that the Enemy seldom separated we had all the Reason in the world to Believe the Rest of them were not far off.

If it was thought the Conquest would be easy there was Courage shewn in the Attack. If it was judgd otherwise there was no Conduct in Making it before the Prizes had some orders given them ー And as it was I think there was neither. there was no order in the Matter. Away we all went Helter Skelter one flying here another there to cut of[f] the Retreat of a fellow that did not fear us. I kept close to the Admiral that I might the sooner Receive his order. But he had none to give. And the Cabots Running off Obliged Me in order to Clear her to go a little out of my way. And before I could Regain My ground the Alfred had sheerd off. Had I behaved as Capt [John Burroughs] Hopkins did. had I run on without Orders and brought on the Action in the Night. I think I should have lost my Commission before now.

The day we arrived at New London I Askd to go out for a few days and the sixth day Returnd with a Schooner prize.² From that we were kept under sailing Orders But were afraid to go out for fear of some Ships we heard was on the Coast till Aprill the 22nd (though I often Askd to go out to discover their force) when I was orderd up to the town of New London to Clean and the Rest of the Vessels saild for this Place. I was unlucky in heaving down and got My Vessel twice full of water but was attended with no other ill consequence than detaining me a day or two Longer. When I was Ready I Run out a head of a Number of Merchant Vessels to no Whether the Coast was Clear. I se the Cerberus and gave them timely Notice But as We were far to windward and the time of day favoirable they thought they might with safety stand on. I thought so too. And if I had not I had no Right to stop them. When I parted with them I had to Run so near to her that had She Chased me She could easily have come within gun shot of Me. I have been here this week Ready for Sea and waiting Only for orders  The Cabot is to go with Me And I expect to sail in a day or too on a Cruise. I wish with all my Soul I was not Obliged to be taging after these Dam'd Ships I ask Nothing more of the Congress than the Vessel I have. Good God of Heaven I am out of all patience with being kept so much in port. Do Get Me a Cruizing Commission if it is possible to obtain it. And then You may expect to hear from me. Before you Cannot....