Gentlemen.

When I wrote to you last by Express I mentioned that Capt [Charles] Laurence had Arived here and that he was a longside of a snow that was Oblig'd to Run ashore. I have Made Bold to Detain him here to Cover the landing of her Cargo  he has Been of Rail Service and now he is going to Convoy her Up to your place with the Assistance of the Eagle from this Place ー

the Liverpool Remains in the Road  the King Fisher is gone out to sea ー As to the Restriction you have laid upon me not to man the arm'd Boat with Pilots I must beg leave to Acquaint you that our Pilots  Bare a Different Carricter to what yours Doe and as the Boat is to be Stationed at our Creeks mouth I Cannot see there will be the least Danger in leting Six Pilots goe in her and the Remainder Lands men as the Pilots are Acquainted With the great Gun and they always Can see there Danger Before they Can be Supprised. ー I think I Can venter to Say the Pilots here has and are willing to do Every thing for the safety of your trade that lays in there Power ー I hope Gentlemen that you will ReConsider the Matter and send me a line in the meantime I shall act with the utmost Caution, and do Ivery thing for your Intrest that lays in my Power ー

Colonel [John] Dagworthy and Colonel [John] Jones think that one of Your Arm'd Boats would be of Service to be stationd in Indian River as that Inlet is at this time Very good having 10 or 12 feet water in it ー Perhaps Some of your Vessells may be Chased in there in that Case such a Boat lying there could be of Best Service. You Must think Gentlemen that We have no Vicus in this Matter but your Intrest as we have no trade of our own. if you were to order Capt Laurence to be stationd here as he is willing I think he would be of Rail service ー I have given Capt Laurence a Recept for what Stores I have Recd from him  You will be so Kind as to Acquaint Messrs Mifflin & Barrell that there is some c[h]arges that I have been at for Victualling and Maning these Boats Extrardinary upon there Acct Which I Expect must be Paid out of the Cargo. Likewise Desire them to authorize Some Person to Act for them as there is a Rail Cause for it