[Extract]

I advisd you in my last that Capt Nicholson was ordered with the Defence to Annaps where he intended to give up the Ship to the Council of Safety if they coud get a proper Comdr for her, after which he purposed to go up & wait on your Board; at which time my Brar or I woud accompany him, it being now high time that every particular Arangemt of the Frigates Outfit shoud be settled, and Provision suitable made.²

I have learned yesterday that the Council have orderd Capt. Nicholson to proceed with the Defence to Potomack in expectation of being able to make a hawl amongst Ld Dunmore's Fleet which is supposd to have no other Escort at present but the Fowey a very heavey Sailer weakly Mannd; The rest of the Vessels of Force vizt the Roebuck & Tenders being gone up Potomack with design (as its conjectured) to destroy Alexandria, or the gondolas building there. ー

Captn Nicholson is delicately circumstanced with regard to the Officers wh he intends taking with him into the Frigate. He is unwilling to distress the Province Service by taking many of the best officers out of the Defence; And they are so much atached to him that they woud to a Man desire to go with him into the Frigate. He is by this means kept in Suspence about the Appointmt of his Officers untill he gets clear of the Defence, as he is desirous to part on friendly terms from a Service wherein he has received the highest Marks of Public Confidence & Friendship ー His last Desire expressd to me on the Subject, was that the Appointmt might rest untill he got clear of his present Employ, excepting Mr Aquilla Johns who he is determind at all events to have as First Lieutt ー This Gentleman now superintends the Frigate & is extreamly well calculated for the Bussins ー We coud have launchd before now, but think it prudent to do every thing that can be done before launching, lest the Carpenters shoud desert after She is got into the Water. At all Events we intend to launch abt the Middle of next Week, I am with much respect Dear Sir [&c.]