Sir

I Sent a Pilot and Crew to Beaufort after our Tender¹ and have receivd her at this place, but in a most wrecked condition, in So much, that She has drove from her anchors twice, and once had near been lost, I have got her alongside the Caswell, heaving her down to Stop her leaks—

The enemy (one Ship two Sloops & a Brigg) take a peep at Us every now & then—but are not dispos'd to venture in, Some few arrivals Since I last wrote your Excellency. The pilots of Ocacock have finally Stop'd bringing in or carrying out vessels, having enterd in an association to that purpose, the reasons they give me for this extraordinary Step is; that having no branches, they are liable to a penalty for taking charge of any Vessell, and that they will not take branches because the Legislative have rated their pilotage at too low a price, being all in a Clan, I fear our trade will be hurt by the Infamy of these people—Pursuant to your Excellencies recommendation I have wrote to Rich^d. Ellis, Esq^r. to know if he will accept the agentcy for the Ship² as our Crew are beginning to be taking down very fast with Scurvies attended with fluxes, which fish (the only fresh provision to be got here) Docter Cooley does not approve of in the latter disorder. I hear there is fresh beef to be purchased at Marm[illeg.] which will be much cheaper, as well as more wholesome for the Crew. Have wrote to M^r. Ellis for a Barrell Brown Sugar a bag Coffee a Hogshead Rum and a ditto of Molasses, being quite out of those articles, will be exceedingly obligd to your Excellency to hurry the paymaster with our money, as we are all distitute of that Necessary article, at present & the whole in great want. I am your Excellencies [&c.]

P.S. I am distressd for Commission Officers having only M^r. Cheshire the Master of the Ship on Board at present, and not another officer I can depend upon, as a Seaman, if your Excellency knows of any, that woud make a good second Lieu^t. will esteem it a favor if youl Commission him, otherwise please Lend a Blank Comm^n. of Lieu^t. for M^r. Cheshire who is now Master & a good officer—³ Docter Cooley Waits on Your Ex cellency, in want of Med'cine, he is an assiduous Gentleman in his duty to the Sick—⁴ if M^r. Ellis declines to furnish us, I hope Your Excellency will appoint, or order us the things wrote for to M^r. Ellis—Your Excellency's obd^t. [&c.] 

W. Wilson