[Extract]

Dear Sir I have your favor of the 6th inst ー in answer to the part of it respecting the Commissions I can only say, I am perpetually dunning the President to send them ー if any alteration in wages of the Commission officers they will be higher: so there can be no difficulty with them ー if any are lowered it will be the mates, midshipmen, coopers, sailmakers and perhaps some other of the petty officers and perhaps boatswain carpenter and gunner ー if the three last are altered it will be but a trifle, say one dollar ー the number of men I sent you some time ago. ー 80 seamen 80 mandsmen and 80 or 90 Marines ー but it's my opinion if a greater proportion of seamen are entered and less landsmen there can be no harm done ー if the officers have boys, no doubt they must be on the roll ー it cannot be a question whether the men are to have hammocks ー to be sure they must ー the men to be entered for a year and as much ー longer as you can get them ー if you can get arms the sooner the better ー The Agent will have a commission for the business he does ー therefore I suppose will employ what clerks he thinks necessary.

I always thought you had ample powers to fit the ship for sea and I believe it's so understood by the Committee ー it is impossible to get the exact dimensions of the guns as there are but few made here and it's altogether uncertain whether they can be sent to you ー The furnaces here have met with many accidents and I am of opinion your guns must come from Providence or some other furnace Eastward....

The order the officers stand appointed.

Warrants will be filled up with the names you sent