verey unexpectedly to me I have been detained here in the service of the State, my boat together with all those that were then in the Basin shared the same fate, we were impressed to go up the River in the neighbourhood of Goochland C House after Hay. The engagment which I made with you to do your work is now interrupted. But I trust It will be in my power to do ample Justice to you as well as the Cause of my Country, because I am providing boats to assist in the work and hope to reassume your employment in the course of about a fortnight