[Extract]

. . . It grieves me to hear that the Continental Seamen have not been paid their Wages and Prize Money. Repeated Orders have been given to the Agent to have it done. The Congress are fully sensible of the Importance of having a respectable Navy, and have endeavoured to form and equip One; but through Ignorance and Neglect they have not been able to accomplish their Purpose yet. I hope however to see one afloat before long. A proper Board of Admiralty is very much wanted. The Members of Congress are unacquainted with this Department. As One of the Marine Commee I sensibly feel my Ignorance in this Respect. Under a mortifying Sense of this I wrote to you for Information in this Matter. Books cannot be had here; and I should have been glad to have been pointed to proper Authors on this Subject when I should be in a Place where Books may be had. Let me know whether it would suit you to be a Member of a Marine Board. I suppose Congress will institute One with a suitable competent Salary, there Residence to be I presume at Philadelphia. . . .