[H. Pickering Dec: 20 1794] Hon^ble Benjamin Lincoln Esq^r Hingham Hon^d by Major Gibbs P.S. Philadelphia Dec: 20, 1794. Ever since I wrote upon on the 25^th the weather has been remarkably fine, but at the same time almost a dead calm, which notwithstanding the mildness of the air, has kept so much floating ice in the river as totally to [undecipherable] the vessels bound to sea, and I greatly fear [undecipherable] the river will not be navigable until the winter as past. [undecipherable: probable reading "unfortunate"] [undecipherable] your mill must [undecipherable] [undecipherable] until the [undecipherable] frozen [undecipherable]. Had the river been quite clear, and every [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] getting out precluded, I should have thought of sending your [undecipherable] to New York to be transported by the Sound to Providence, from whence you could quite have it brought to your mill, but [undecipherable] day [undecipherable] with a prospect of the river [undecipherable]. If you would wish to have [undecipherable] [undecipherable] by that any one, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] rate, pray give me a hint [undecipherable] it as early as possible. I am sir yours sincerely [undecipherable]