War Office,

Boston Feby 10th 1777 —

Gentn

This we hope will be deliver'd you by Capt Tucker, & incloses Invoice & Bills Lading of 2210 Quintals best Merchble Cod Fish which we have freighted on Board the Brigt Benjamin which we wish safe to hand & a good Market. — You will dispose of the Fish upon the best Terms, & invest the proceeds in the several Articles enumerated in the annex'd Schedule, or a proportion of each as they may [be] purchas'd, giving the preference to good Fire-Arms if they are allowed t[o] be shipt to America, — These Goods are to be shipt on Board t[wo] sm[illegible] Vessels that will be soon with you, but if they should not arrive in Time please to ship as many of the Articles as may be in the Benjamin And if the Master of the Benjamin cannot take them in & you despair of seeing the Schooners, please to remit the Neat proceeds to Messrs Jacques Gruel & Compy Nantz. — The Board of War for the State of Massachusetts Bay have taken the Liberty to address this their first Adv[enture] to Bilboa to your House induced therto by the Great Character you so justly sustain in the Commercial World, & your known Attachment to [the] Cause of America, & intend this Cargo shall be follow'd by others under the like Address. — We are Gentn [&c.]

By order of the Board of War

If Ravens Duck cannot be procur'd, an equal Quantity of such Cloath as is sutiable for Tents. —