Gent

Your Several favo'rs of the 4 & 5 Dcemr P Mr [William] Turnbull & [Abraham] Livingston Iv'e Just Recd to which I beg leave to Answer, that it was not Possable to purchase the least Article of Clothing in this State, as everything of that Sort, which has been bro't in, or made, in this place, has been bought up for the use of the Soldiers Raised for the Service of the Continent I find by your's of the 5th that you have not Recd my letters, as I find no mention made of them, but rather that you have not heard from me. — which Confirms me in what Iv'e been much afraid of that my letters have miscarried In letters Iv'e inform you that no U rope an Cargoes were to be had, except masts, that the Betsey Frigate had Saild, the 15th Day last month with masts Spars & planck &c for Bourdeaux, and shoud have sent one or two more agreable to order but, the want of Cord[a]ge and Sail Cloth, only prevented as the large ships which are Suitable for that business have been Striped of their Sailes [illegible] for Vessels of war, and its impossable to Replace it at any price, — Agreable to your order I shall immediately endeavour to procure the Vessells for Virginia and Carolina, but the grand Deficulty is what you mention, that of getg good Trusty men for the Service, every Master mate and Sailor almost being taken up in Some Service, they generally fear Coasting along to Virginia more then going off to France, I see at Present but little Prospect of getg men, —

The ship Royal Exchange which I bo't very low, on Acct of the Continent would do very well, tho she would wan't some Rigg and Sails but if can get hands at any rate shall immediately Dispatch her, Agreable to order either to Virginia or Carolina, as the case may be when she is ready there is no prize vessells here now for saile, those which have Sold lately have been high as £1500 L my some £2000 — there will be very fine vessell [a] Transpt of abt 250 Tons sent in here few days ago by a privateer belongg to this place, should she sell low shall purchase her either for Virginia, Agreable to order, or Load her with Lumber some masts for France —

I shall make it a point to Exert myself in every way to do the business on the best terms, Possable in one of my former Letters to the Honbl Committee as also Several which Iv'e wrote to Colona! Whipple, Iv'e informd them that, I'm in want of money, not haveg any belongg to the Continent in my hands, but have Advanced what little of my own which I had by me — I hope before this Comes to hand money will have been sent off by the Honbl Marine Committee for me, to furnish and pay off the Raleigh's Demands and to Carry on the buildg of Capt Roches ship, ² otherwise must stop my hand, as nothing is to be had unless prompt pay. — the Honbl Secret Committees Acct I shall forward soon, as good Opportunity Offers, with Considerable ballance due to me — the Honbl Marine Committee's Acct in the Same way almost as Iv'e not Recd any Prize money only for Royal Exchange, amtg to abt £5,600 L my which is almost expended for Provision Stores &c for the Raleigh and what I have Advanced, for Timber [illegible] for Capt Roches ship which is now in hand — If I hear of none Comg soon shall send on purpose for money to go on with -Iv'e paid the Captors their Prize money as soon as the Sales were Com pleated, and they applyi [ed] for it — With the greatest Respect I am [&c.]

PS — Inclos'd is Invoice of Ship Betsy Frigate's Cargo & her Disburstments which is exclusive of the £ 1000 — charg'd for sd Vessel —

Hon. Robert Morris Esqre Chairman of the Secret Comte Philadelphia or Baltimore —