I had the honor of writing to you on the 5th. Instant.

Since the commencement of the War the unparralled desertions of our seamen from their Vessels ⟨i⟩n this port, with the view of entering into the Privateers & Letters of Marque of this Country or of higher wages in other ⟨of⟩ our own Vessels than those they had been engaged at in America for the Voyage, have occasioned the most serious inconvenience & loss to the Ship Owners: & the law here not autho⟨r⟩ising the Magistrate to arrest foreign Seamen for a breach of their engagement made in a foreign Country, there is no means ⟨of⟩ restraining them. And tho’ I expect this inconvenience will ⟨grad⟩ually abate after wages become settled; yet as it is always ⟨m⟩ore or less an evil, I have thought it my duty to state ⟨it⟩ to you.

The Markets of this Country have been in a very uncertain state for some time past in Consequence of the War. The inclosed contains the present state of this for our Exports With perfect respect I have the honor to ⟨be⟩ Your Most Obedient Servan⟨t⟩