Your favor of the 12th. was received yesterday evening, and the course which it prescribes shall be strictly observed. I now forward you Major Newton’s letters of the 8th. 9th. & 13th instant—It appears by the last that the British Ships of War have gone out of our waters—Tomorrow’s mail will, I presume, enable us to ascertain whether this departure is temporary, as on a former occasion, or whether it is the result of measures adopted beyond the Atlantic—

I hope to be excused for the delay in forwarding the enclosed letters, when I inform you that I have experienced a severe domestic affliction in the loss of a child after a painful illness.

I have the honor to be with the highest respect, Sir yr. obt. St.