[Extract]

. . . The appointment of persons to Superintend the building of the 74 Gun Ship does not lye with me these are Named generally by the Delegate, that represents the State where they are to be built, and the Marine Committee. . . .

You will find the Marine Committee have at length Issued orders for the purchase of the Mellish &c so that Your determination to buy her will chime in very well with their orders. The Seperation of Congress from many of their papers &c upon the late removal put things a little out of sorts and it is difficult to get the Committees properly into their gears again Or to speak more properly, Members of Congress are too much harrassed & have too much business to do it as it ought to be done . . . .