Letter from Admiral Hopkins to Stephen Hopkins: The enemy is in the neighbourhood, but if their Fleet is not much stronger than his he will go out the first fair wind

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On board Ship Alfred, at the mouth of New-London River,
April 21, 1776.

DEAR BROTHER: Since I wrote, nothing material has happened. We landed our sick, (which were one hundred and forty men in the fleet,) and got some new men out of the Army, and were ready to sail, when I received General Washington' s letter by express, a copy of which I have enclosed.

I sent out the Cabot in order to strengthen the town of Newport, where she is arrived, as you will see by Lieutenant Hinman' s letter, a copy of which you have enclosed. Two days past we were under sail to go out, but got ashore on the rocks near Fisher' s Island; but got off again without much damage, after about eight hours, and came in again, and ordered all the vessels in which I had under convoy — five of whom were at the risk of the Congress. The Fly is now out in order to learn the strength of the fleet. If they are not much stronger than we, shall go out the first fair wind.

We are much better manned now than we ever have been. My son (John B˙ Hopkins) is ashore, at Mr˙ Shaw' s, and getting better of his wounds; but do not expect he will be able to go on board his brig, to take the command, in less than three or four weeks.

I am your loving brother, ESECK HOPKINS.

To the Honourable Stephen Hopkins, Esquire, at Philadelphia.

P˙ S. I have obliged most of the sailors that I have taken out of the armed vessels to do duty on board. Should be glad to know if that is agreeable with the sentiments of the Congress, that I may still follow the same rule.