I take the first opportunity, my dear Temple, of informing you of my safe arrival here, after a disagreable & in some measure a dangerous voyage. The reasons which induced me to embark on board Capt. Shewall are not unknown to you, I shall therefore only say that a few days after we had left St. Ubes, where we had taken in a very heavy cargoe of Salt we were alarmed by the Vessel’s making more than her usual quantity of Water. However there being no appearance of immediate danger we continued our course, and sometime after the leak stopped, without our being able to discover the part of the vessel in which it had been or what could have stopped it. But the morning after we had made Bermuda, our leak broke out afresh, & upon sounding the pumps the Vessel was found to make at the rate of seven feet & an half of water the hour, and at the same time a Vessel very luckily hove in sight. This vessel whom we found to be chartered by Mr. Ridley & bound to Baltimore kept us company till we arrived in soundings, before we had got so near the coast, the Capt was apprehensive that he might be obliged to leave the vessel, the hands being almost worn out, but upon examining the stern-post of the vessel, the leak was happily discovered & in a measure stopped by the application of Tow, which was sucked into the hole. This enabled us to arrive in safety altho’ we were continually apprehensive of the leak being renewed.

You will excuse my dear Franklin, my having troubled you with so long a detail & give me leave to enquire into the health of your worthy Grandfather & self. I waited upon Mr. & Mrs. Beach the other day—the family in general was well except one of her daughter’s, who was rather indisposed. Mason & Hoops arrived here before me but they had not the most agreeable, altho a very safe, passage. Mayo I am told continues at Paris I will thank you to make him my Compliments, as I doubt much of my being able to write him by this opportunity. I will thank you to make your Grandfather Mr. Jay & family & Mrs. Montgomery my most respectful Compliments & in remembering me to every one who may enquire after your Friend I will beg you to believe me Yours Sincerely