Read the enclosed Letter first To understand this Letter it will be necessary to r first to read the enclosed, this being a sequel to that—which I for ward now because ^which was intended for this mornings post but^ the mail was closed when my Secy brought the enclosed ^it^ to the Post office—1

The Capt. Clarke in Question is well known in this City— During the late War he served in the American army — Since the Re He has since been well considered and with Reason as one of Genets Partizans and agents—a violent Democrat and Gallican I have He is said to be subtle, active, and ^factious,^ unprincipalled, and was in many Respects valuable for Enterprizes an [Irish?] good man and needy ^and needy— I have had no opportunity of judging from my own observation how far this character of him is just—^2

The Vessel in which he came, arrived last Evening—about 10 o OCK. last night Mr. Pollocks Letter was delivered to me by the Capt I immediately sent him for Clarke, but before he had come on shore and was not to be found. I wanted to see him before he could see any Persons who might change have influence over him—

He was with me this morning—but his Communications were much the same with those mentioned by Mr. Pollock— He professes that the very in jurious unjustifiable Conduct of the French ^France^ to his ^our^ Country urges him to make these Discoveries [in question?], and to do whatever may be in his power to frustrate these secret Designs of the French agt. us

I think ^suspect^ with Mr. Pollock that he ^Clark^ probably knows more thatn he at present is inclined to reveal reveal— He has a Letter for you which he purposes to deliver himself—3 He says that while on board the Revenge he heard the Fires which afterwards happened in this City, spoken of as Fires that would certainly happen— and that the very ^particular^ Houses and Stores were mentioned.4 He is positive That the Destruction of all our sea port Towns ^and Frigates^ is meditated— that a French Fort Fleet will ^is expected to^ co-operate with Incendiaries in that Design— That Efforts will be made to gain Canada by Conquest or Revolution—and that they depend on substantial aids from Vermont and Kentucky &ca. & Tennessee &ca— That he has Reason to think a watchful Eye shd. be kept over Genet, having often heard him spoken of in a Way which led him to that opinion—^that excited his apprehensions^

He deals much in generals—and as to the particulars he details, they neither afford nor are accompanied with Evidence sufficient to justify the arrest of any Individuals— He says he will endeavour & expects to obtain more certain Information— and thinks that with proper Secrecy and Management, much may be discovered.

The Capt. Expects the money for his ^Clarks^ Passage according to Mr Pollocks Stipulation & the sooner that is done the better; lest Clarke finding suspecting any Hesitation of that point, may become less Zealous than he now appears to be— I do not believe that Clark wd. committ himself as he has done to Mr Pollock, to me, and to our Atty Genl. G who was present this morning, for the sake s merely of this Passage Money which is only 50 Dol.—5 He must have other views ^motives^— He may b ^be^ influenced ^actuated^ by his Dispute with the Capt. Of the French Privateer ^personal-Resentments^—by some remaining Love for his Country—by the Hope and Expectation of Reward, and probably ^perhaps^ by each of these Considerations—

It appears to me prudent ^not^ to pay, ^not only^ his passage, to pay ^but^ his Expenses to Pha.—6 ^to treat him kindly but with Circumspection—^ to employ him as his Circumstances may indicate, and not to damp his Hopes whatever they may be ^of Reward^— He may be nothing more than a cunning ^relative to this Business be an^ Impostor, and he may not ^not^ in this Business ^He may^ be sincere and in earnest and consequently very useful. These are Que Doubts which can only be decided by fair Experiment.

I was to have gone into the Country this morning, but mus but this Business will detain me untill Tomorrow— During my absence I expected Mr Hoffman our attorney Genl. would attend to what might further be necessary to be done respecting ^it^—and Clark is to see him again privately tomorrow—For him to come frequently & publicly to the Offices of Govt might excite Suspicion ^it^. ^Finding however that^ Mr Hoffman however is ^being^ ^was^ obliged to go to Albany in a few Days, it was concluded between us that Mr. Harizon the Attorney Genl ^of the US^ for this District should be made acquainted with all the Particulars— While Mr Hoff[m]an remains in Town they will act in Concert— After his Departure I hope ^presume^ Mr. Harison will readily attend to it. I expect to be absent ^abt^ ten Days— in the mean Time ^to avoid Delay^ be pleased to instruct ^give^ Mr. Harison such Instructions as you may think proper—when I return I wil I have the Honor to be with great Respect & Esteem Sir Your most ob. & hble. Servt