[Copy] [D] Philad^a 1^st Aug^t 1793 Sir, In the absence of this his Majesty's M^r. [undecipherable] has the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of his Letter of the 9^th of July. I have for [undecipherable] in this [undecipherable] to observe that there [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] to prevent any [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] by every man in a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for the Government of the United States. I have conferred with the owners of the Ship who are [undecipherable] to inform [undecipherable] they have [undecipherable] a Single [undecipherable] — they [undecipherable] with them — [undecipherable] they [undecipherable] any [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] of Force unless this [undecipherable] from new instead of the old Gun Carriages — [undecipherable] that the [undecipherable] shall be a Sea manifested for [undecipherable] privately in the [undecipherable] Manner in the [undecipherable] and that the two port holes in the [undecipherable] are in the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] Cruise — [undecipherable] Ship [undecipherable] since these could have been [undecipherable] as a [undecipherable] With the [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] — reference to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] to the Owners of the Ship [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] surrounded by Danger in [their?] [undecipherable] Policy as they have only used such means of Defense as [undecipherable] Danger of [undecipherable] commands [undecipherable] without the least Intention of engaging, or of [undecipherable] in offensive Attacks upon [undecipherable] Country, they are [undecipherable] — The means of Defense they [undecipherable] show them hither — In the Expectation of being permitted to exercise those [undecipherable] efficiently, they have made their Preparations according to defend their Property — they have stipulated with the Underwriters a certain Force in their Insurance, made at New York — a Reduction of that Force will render their Policies void and subject them to imminent Loss in Case of Capture. — Under all these Circumstances they venture to hope they shall obtain the Permission of this Government to depart upon their intended Voyage, the delay of which may involve them & those for whom they act, in the greatest Inconvenience. I beg leave to add the Master of the [undecipherable] is ready to produce Evidence that his Crew consists of British Subjects only and is willing to give any Assurance he will not, knowingly, carry away any Seaman of any other Description. With Sentiments of the most [perfect?] Respect I have the Honor to be Sir, Y^r most [obedient?] [and most faithful?] P. Bond [Secretary at War]