I return you the papers recieved in your letter of the 16th. the Secretary of State communicated to me yesterday a letter from mr Erskine containing assurances from Sr. Thomas Hardy that he should carefully abstain from acts of violence, unless he recieved orders from his superiors. altho’ Barclay’s character does not give the same confidence, yet I see no reason to doubt that matters will continue, in the Chesapeake, in their present train until they recieve orders from their government.

I salute you with esteem & respect.