I wrote you last week by an opportunity wch offered & seize upon the present which I am only informed of on the Eve of its departure.

I was captured on 25 Ulto. off the Cape of Virginia by the Quebec fregate after having been 2 days in sight of land & expecting to be on shore in the Evening, we were carried into N. York where my friend Livingston was put on the prevôt as a publick man. I was confined on board of the fregate as his friend where the suspicious Robertson might have kept us yet if Carleton had not arrived who reprimanded His predecessor in not thinking our paroles a sufficient guard upon our tongues provided we were acquainted with any publick Business & to indemnify us for our treatment gave us our paroles to go to any part of the Continent we pleased. The Character & professions of the New General agree very well together if he keeps up to them, tho’ he may be a More dangerous enemy than his predecessors he certainly will be a less cruel one; he wishes to put an end to Refugeeing which he says injures individuals without benefiting the publick & says if peace cannot be obtained he hopes War will be carried on en Soldat—Upon the whole I believe him to be humane & generous & think that a man of his temper would have been dangerous two or three years ago—The Change of ministry has made a great noise here, but it is the General opinion that if it has any effect it will be to our disadvantage—

You have without doubt heard of the execution [illegible] by the Refugees & of General Washington having demanded Leppincoat the perpetrater of the Deed to be delivered up under pain of reprisals—They were trying him in N York when I was there—But it seems they have not thought proper to give him up & in consequence the English Captains prisoners at Lancaster have cast lots to see upon who should be the object of the Reprisal it has fallen upon a Son of Sr Charles Argyle Banker in London who this day is to be convey[ed] [torn] it is a cruel circumstance that the Innocent must fall for the [guilty] [torn] there is no other method of obliging them to good behavior—You will no doubt be informed minutely of this transaction—

I have been exceedingly well received by Mess. Bache & Morris, as also by J. Ross—As I lost every thing but my Cloathes by my capture I was obliged to have recourse to M. M. for supplies which he has granted me—

I am delighted with this Country but shall not pretend to give any further opinion of it ’till better acquainted with it—I shall not begin to have any true enjoyment of it till I can get domesticated.

Remember me in the most affet. manner to yr Grandfather of whose kindnesses I have always a strong sense & particularly at present for the friendly reception he has procured me here. Yr. letter to Mr Ingersol I destroyed on capture, in common wth the rest—but luckily copies of the latter had arr[ived]—Your friends here are all well—Continue me your fr[iendsh]ip, show me how I can be of service to you & believe me Most affectionately yours