Mine by last post will account to you for my being this day in Town, without seeing the British Ships: this days Report (I mean rumour) states that they are gone; but neither Commodore De Catur nor myself mean to trust to mere appearances, or retrograde possibility. He has dispatched a tender, he writes me, to watch their motions; & he has added, to politeness, a disposition for mutual services which wear the features of truth & honor. I have sent off my accommodation vessel, with two weeks provision & forage, to meet me in Lynnhaven River tomorrow; together with Men for my Whale Boat, & she shall know what is become of them the moment she is prepared.—We have the Richmond & Petersburgh Cavalry here; & Infantry expected this Evening: This, & hurry & bustle here, prevents the Saddler from clearing me out this Evening, with halters & feeding Bags—not to be done without. In the morning I shall set out to Lynnhaven, & You shall hear from me regularly.—I contemplate, for present establishments, the following—

Party of observation, & especial Service, under command of Wm Tatham, responsible to the President of the U. States.

viz

Accommodation Boat, from the Navy Yard

Mr. Scoffield Sailing Master.

1 Waterman &c.

1 Negroe Cabin Boy.

Whale Boat for Reconoiterring, Surveying &c.

J.G. Rhodes (an Englishman who has been in the B. Navy) - Cockswain, under Controul!

4. Oars-men.

1 Daily Express to Norfolk. Abner Hartley.

3. Horses—My own Property—

1 Double Seated Light Chair, for Conveying an occasional Companion, or Baggage, Papers &c.

2 Occasional assistant Draughtsmen, residing in Kempsville.

Still Wanting—

1. Confidential Copying Clerk.

1. do. Officer, & 2 Privates, to patrole the Country between Lynnhaven River & the Light House on Cape Henry.—

N.B. The accommodation vessel (to be stationed in Lynn haven River) will serve as a ferry for many miles mour: expedition will be thereby attained; & money & labour saved, in the necessary active Duties of our defence.—

I shall look out for the Enemy; &, before they return in force, which I shall expect under Cannings Pittish administration, I hope to lay before you a complete plan for their discmfiture, which no mour suspects, & which shall prisent, to your contemplation, its maiden Chastity.—

It is imposseble for me, at present, to Copy or Journalize.

I have the honor to be, in haste, Dr. Sir Your Obt H Sert