S[amuel] S[mith] to Wilson Cary Nicholas, discusses his business troubles resulting from the actions of the British fleet against his commercial vessels, especially those trading in India; notes that General James Wilkinson is concerned that he might be implicated in the Burr Conspiracy but according to Smith "I have little fear for the Integrity of his Character - that he may have been indiscreet I can easily believe - that in the Confidence of long friendship and a high very high opinion of Burr he may have said [or even?] written things that may require explanation. I can believe but that he has ever harbored a dishonorable Intention against the Interest or the fidelity he owed his country, I neither can nor will believe." Smith supposes the judge intends on stopping the trial of Burr for treason and permit the jury to find him guilty of a misdemeanor instead. Gives information concerning a French pirate who has been terrorizing the Chesapeake Bay near Baltimore.