Sir,
I recd. your favor of the 30th November last respecting the Sloop Polly, whereof Alexander McAuslen was late master. The Sloop was libelled in the Court of Admiralty, and has been condemned, not from any suggestions of the Owners, being inimical to the American Cause but from its appearing the Master was carrying on that commercial intercourse with our Enemies—which is repugnant to the Resolves of the Continental Congress as well as our Convention.
Every attention will always be paid here to the property of any of the friends of the United States and you may depend, that every thing has been done in this affair, as far as is consistent with those regulations, that have been adopted for the Government of the Continental. I am with respect Sir, your mo. ob.