[Extract]

. . . Capt Roches Ship is now going on, haveg just had Snow to get the timber hawled, shall be able to get her off, in good Season; am much Afraid, shall not get Canvas and Cordage, the Raleigh laying waitg for guns, trying to get them Cast at Massachusetts have got Abt fifteen hundred Tuns of Timber Cut, and hawled for the 74 gun ship — Since the Snow is Come within few Days, have had upwards one hundred Teams at work every Day —

I have Since begin[nin Jg this letter Recd yours of the 3d Instt Inclos[in]g that Brute of Britain's Speeches, what a poor Crying Devil he is become — the time is not far off I hope when we shall hear of his Decapitation — am glad that I am like to have money by Mr Belton; you'll See from time to time what moneys I may want: it will take Considerable sums to Carry on the business — such Numbers of men at work, must be paid every fortnight, provisions high &c. Cordage Canvas Iron &c for Roches Ship, and in Case the Raleigh should get her guns; they will Cost large sum money and a Considerable sum to pay her off — no prizes come in — the McClary ² just Arrived only one Transport Brigt this Cruize the Portsmo[uth] 20 gun ship Capt [Robert] Parker Sails first wind-has only small guns, from the West indies; —

We have got some large Masts hawled, it will be Absolutely Necessary to have, a Dock yard here for Masts: as the large Trees are very Deficult to be had and very high: This Matter I should be glad might Come under the Direction of your Brother — as there will be two Leiutents appointed for Roach, I would have you mention, Capt Thomas Dalling and Capt Elijah Hall, who was in Thompson's ship, both very good men as can be had for the purpose, pray have this done Directly and inform me, as they are waitg for your Determinat[io]n — I thank you for your Attention to the business; and much Depend on your forwardg money that may be Necessary with every order that is sent down without which the business must suffer unless some Prizes Come in of which you will be informed, in season

P. S. for the Secret Committee I am in present Want of abt fifteen thousand Dollars, for the use of the Raleigh before going to Sea Say twenty thousand Dollars for Roches Ship. Suppose Thirty Thousand Dollars, for the 74 for Timber Plank &c at present. . . .