I am this moment favored with yours of the 9th, but I fear the direct mail to Charlottesville is already closed—No inconvenience will arise from the circumstance mentioned in your letter because as I understood that Capt. Decatur was not in Norfolk. I did not state to General Mathews that he no longer had the power to receive and regulate the intercourse by flag with the British Squadron—Your request shall in all things be complied with—The command of the Militia will in a few days be confided to Major Newton, unless something of an extraordinary nature should occur at Norfolk—

I am with the highest respect Sir yr. Ob. St