York^s 19^th Jan^y 1798 Sir I have the satisfaction to inform you that yesterday at 10 OClock, Hackett and myself left the President of the light house (and she is now I suppose in her passage) She appears to Sail remarkable fast, stern like a Whale; but by very stiff, thick She will answer every expectation and do you great Credit in the Construction in my Care anxiety and toil has been very great all this Winter— every thing Still press more and more upon me even to moving— holding myself responsible for every thing— you may Judge with no men to take care of food &pay: and the Ship with Stores farther of Powder on board Winter gales &c. What must be my feelings— and what my Relief now She is Safe at Sea— the Wind Stills continues to blow N. W. When we first from the Wharf it blew very, very, hard— as three of [or] Some of the large Anchors in the Stream intending to haul it up— heavy I Suppose hooked into a Rock— we were Obliged to cut the Cable and leave the Anchor with 15/ Cable and also left the Stream Cable which was to a convenient Anchors laid to the N^thb. The Violence of the Wind the Safety of the fleet &c and Safety of the Ships, and the consequences of not going taken— weild the Expedience of the measures you know the Situation of the River— I can explain the matter to M^r Pickering &the Secretary of War— I Shall forward the Account and papers very Soon I they may give direction about the Anchor &c. Account— as I expect at twell 15 feet forward, 17 feet Abaft in her draft 535 [torn] weight on board your most Ab^t M^r Jones & Dixon Tho^s Thompson