Letter to Henry A. Dearborn

Transcription [verbatim] Honored Sir, I have had the pleasure to receive your favor of 28th ins’ from Portland; and have attended to the enclosures. The grateful tidings of the safety of Commodore Barney’s flotilla in the Patuxent reached here this morning., in his official dispatch to the Secretary of the Navy…..much anxiety had arisen for the fate of the Flotilla, as the enemy’s force was considered by friends as sufficient to capture or destroy it; but, it appears, they were repulsed after a pretty severe contest – in which Com. Barney acknowledges the loss of eleven persons – that of the enemy could not be ascertained, but a probable conjecture is, that their loss was heavy to induce them to retire; there was a [illegible] and the Frigate Narcissus opposed to Com. B. – the Frigate was set on fire three several times, before the action ceased, by some of the [cannonade?] employed on our part. The ungrateful account of the landing of 2000 British troops at Pensacola is confirmed by a letter from Col. Hawkins to the Governor of Georgia. Your honored father continues to improve in health and strength, insomuch as to be actively employed in his official duty: You will of course perceive by the papers, that the Militia are ordered out by the Governor – about five hundred, assembled on the common yesterday: and will do duty for thirty days. Your children are in good health. There has been nothing worthy of notice transpired at the office since my cast _______. Confirming my last pledge of unremitted attention to the business that may come before me; be assured, Dear Sir of my respectful consideration and services. Matthew Clark1 letter to Henry Dearborn from Matthew Clark regarding Commodore Barney and his actions in the Chesapeake Ba