Ever Dear Brother,

I had flattered myself that I should have been at Hempstead at least a month ago but as it is otherwise ordered by the over ruling Providence of God, it is my duty patiently to submit and rest satisfied with the decisions of unerring wisdom.

I proposed to embrace the first opportunity that offered after the middle of July, and in case there should be no vessel going from this place about that time to have gone to the castle, as I did two years ago, to seek for a passage. But just about the proposed time; Capt. Elijah Bell arrived from the West Indies who told me that as soon as he had discharged his cargo he should endeavor to procure a freight for New York and that I might depend on a convenient passage in his vessel. But as he found some difficulty in getting a freight, he delayed the time so that he did not get ready to sail till the 29^th of August and proposed to sail the 30^th, wind and weather permitting. The weather continued fair until 12 o’clock at night, when the wind which was about E.N.E. began to breeze and the black clouds began to presage the coming storm. The rising wind and falling rain ushered in the morning of the 30^th, the violence of which progressively increased for 36 hours, and at 12 o’clock the 31^st it raged with a violence which I cannot well describe. Fruit trees of every description are either torn up by the roots or left naked, trunks dismembered of their fruit and branches. Forest trees flourishing in the height of verdure either leveled with the ground or stripped of their boughs and beauty, and the stately pines, the pride of Carolina racked and tortured, torn up by the roots or broke off like faggots and left as a cumbrance on the ground which they wont to shade fences in general were blown down whereby remains of the crops are liable to be much injured many houses are demolished others uncovered and many chimneys blown down but the greater calamity of all on the Sea Coast is the tide, for it appears that no building, the foundation whereof is on the surface of the ground, can withstand the combined force of the wind and water in those violent commotions.

There were in this small port when the gale came on, a Ship of 350 tons__ a Brig of 200__two schooners of 120 each__ 3 smaller (D.s)? and one sloop, all of which were driven from their anchors. The Ship, the Brig and one of the large Schooner are overset and likely to be lost. Capt, Bell`s loaded Schooner, in which I expected to take passage, is drove on shore and much damaged part of her cargo lost, the rest must be taken out and the Vessel repaired, and is therefore uncertain whether she will proceed on her voyage or not.

We have account of three vessels that are stranded on the sea beach in the distance of 20 miles, and we dread to hear of the disasters at Ocracoke and the coast from Hatteras to Cape Henry.

Thus I have given you a short and imperfect sketch of this tremendous gale in this place only, not having had time to learn what has happened in other places, where we have reason to expect equal or worse consequences.

I shall only add that amidst the jarring elements and terrifying appearances I and my family were, thro` mercy, preserved in safety, and have suffered no considerable loss. We had also an opportunity of administering relief to some of our neighbors who were deprived of their dwelling places, and forced to seek else where for shelter.

I am still desirous of visiting you this fall, but surrounded as I am with uncertainty I can promise nothing. Therefore resigning myself to the direction of that almighty power on which my life depends. I patiently wait the opportunity of meeting you all in love but if disappointed of that hope, this may serve as a testimony of the unabating friendship of your ever loving brother.

PS Please to remember me to all my relations and friends and keep Samuel at school till further orders