My Dear Friend,

Since I wrote you last nothing of consequence hath happened, unless it be, that the Roebuck & Liverpoole coming up the river Delaware, were met about Christeen, some miles above Newcastle, by the 13 Gondolas of this City, and after a cannonade of 3 hours each day for 2 successive days, the Ships returned down the river, and the Gallies to their old station, without much hurt, I believe, on either side. My frienship for you is so strong, and the sense I have of the obligations America is under to you so high, that I will ever pray the liberty of being full and free on every subject that may materially concern you. I find a spirit prevailing here, which leads its possessors to regard with a jealous eye, every instance of deviation (in a Military or Naval Commander) from the line of instructions, and also every undertaking productive of expence which is not warranted by express order of Congress. Thus animated, I find some Gentlemen expressing dissatisfaction at your having promised forage to such Cavalry as might be assembled in Virginia, and likewise, because of the Boats you had ordered to be built for the security of the rivers. You know my friend, that the Spirit of Liberty is a jealous spirit, and that those appointed to guard it, are not always wise and candid Counsellors. Upon this consideration, will it not be prudent to put it out of the power of any person to complain with justice, by a timely representation of such things as are necessary, and unless in great and most urgent cases, not to let the adoption precede the Congressional order of any measure. I am very sufficiently conscious of the thousand occasions in which the service must suffer immensely if Commanders at a distance are not to accomodate conduct to circumstances ー But I know also that all men are not candid, not wise; and that some are governed frequently by envy, by enmity, and by evil designs. I would therefore carefully avoid furnishing such men with the opportunity of cavil, by obtaining the proper sanction for all such things as were extraneous to the immediate line of duty, unless, as I have before mentioned, in cases where the Distance, time and public good would not admit of delay.