Sir:

I never could hear of your arrival in the State until yesterday. I cannot well express my feelings on the news.

We never got ready to sail until Thursday or Friday after I left you when we were detained, we suppose on the news of your departure.

Major Craig by some measure or other found out my sending you a saddle, portmanteau, &c., by Mr. Stewart, and also informed the Town Mayor that I had furnished you cash by the same conveyance. The last however upon examining Mr. Stewart was found not true and lucky that the gentleman who did was not discovered at that time.

The Town Major is an exceeding good man and we were excused by a small repremand, and saying that the commanding officer did not pay that attention towards you as was becoming even good manners.

On our arrival here we were put under close guard and have been that way confined ever since. I don’t mean to complain for my folly deserves it all, yet I cannot believe that the officer here pursues the laws of the country. For at once I threw myself at the disposal of the Civil Law, yet the Continental Officers hold me under some pretence.

I wish much to see you and if any proper excuse can be made for my taking a journey to the place where you are, will you please to point it out. I shall not trouble you with any solicitations as I am sure you will do me every service consistent with your own feelings.

I am also to inform you that the commandant detained all your letters except Mrs. Burke’s. I wrote to Mr. Jones to that purpose.

I did not know of this opportunity in time, therefore I must beg you to excuse this scrawl.