[Extract]

Yours of the 17th Ulto I have recd As to the Massachusets raising more Men ー would say the sea ports are draind very much by those going a privateering &c. and the late success of One belonging here (Capt White) who with Another has taken four ships &c. two are in att the Eastward. One between 4 & 500 hhd laid Barbadoes Sugars the Others from Antigua his success, now with two Other prizes sent in before,² which makes every body this way going upon the business. there is now four or 5 fiting Out. One sails to day ー We have had Our Coast pretty clear for sometime till lately, & A ship or two are att the Eastward, & have taken A Number of Coasters [illegible] fishermen &c Amongst which I have One, by which shall suffer £300 Ste[rg] ー & last week a ship off Cape Codd took a brig with flour from Phila ー We have & are still paying for a Vessell to gaurd the Eastward Coast: but has been lying in harbour the chief of his time & doing no service, (Obrian!)³

I am Anciou[s]ly concernd as to the event of Our Affairs att [New] York as there must happen some, grand event soon may itt please God to disappaint Our enemies in all there scheams & bless all Undertakeings for Our defence & priveledge's ー I have he[a]rd to day As though a Number of Vessells were culecd from Cannecticut, which I think would be of great importance, properly managd to stop or set fire to the fleet when they may come to Attack the Town ー I suppose the first division of the Hessians are Arr[ive]d before now att [New] York, after which there will be a movementー