Gentlemen

I receiv'd yours of the 10th October this day; and am extremely unhappy in not receiving it in time, as Captn Jones in the Alfred, and Hacker in the Providence Sail'd two days ago well Mann'd -and the Ships now here are the two New Ships, the Columbus, and Hamden. -The Hamden must be repaired before She can Sail, and the Ships are not more than half Mann'd -however I am glad to receive your Orders for an Expedition to the Southward that I may have it in my power to Convince the Gentlemen in every State that I have nothing at heart but the Common Cause -without any partiallity to any particular State -this you may rely on that I will attempt to put your Orders in Execution if I am obliged to do it with a Single Ship, although Shall do all in my Power to get all the Force here with me that possibly can be Mann'd -If I can't get the whole Mann'd next week, Shall take the Men out of some to Mann the others & leave them with a few Officers to take Care of them untill they receive your further Orders -I am with great Respect Gent. [&c.]