Sir,

The necessity we have for powder, & the certainty of your having it res placed from Virginia, induces me to request of you, (by the desire of Gen. Lee) to despatch with the utmost expedition, as large a quantity as you can possibly spare, as the safety of this place, may probably depend upon it.

As the General has enclosed, open for your perusal, his account of yesterday's action to the Convention of Virginia, I shall not trouble you farther, on that occasion than to add, that the consequences of the action, have been more decisive, than we then thought; many dead bodies having been found; & the ship which was burnt, that was took for a 28 Gun Frigate, proves to be the Acteon of Thirty two guns. The enemy withdrew from the Fort with precipitance & confusion. Our people boarded the ship on fire, turned her guns upon the foe, & fired upon them, we hope with effect, saved some of the things, ー & quitted her, just before she blew up. As farther particulars occur, I shall do myself the honor to transmit them; & am with the greatest respect, Sir [&c.]