[Extract]
Sir,

Captn Taylor being wind bound gives me opportunity to acquaint you of the arrival of three more of the flour Vessles on the Continental Acct. from Virginia Viz. Schooner Leopard, Capt Gross, Sloop Britannia Capt John Perkins & Schooner Unity Capt Bennet, which makes up five in the whole that have arrived .... The Vessles that are Sent on the business are all except one Chartered at 8/ ー Pr Ton Pr Month & Victualed & Manned at the expense of the Continent. The Master & Crew are Generaly allow'd priviledge as follows Viz. Master 10 Baris, Mate 6 Barris, & Men 5 Barris Each. the remainder of the Vessls to be fully Loaded on acct. of the Continent, the Vessles to be Kept in repair atthe expense of the Owners, whatever necessary Stores they are in Want of Should be Glad they may be furnish'd within the Cheapest & best Manner taking their Recpts, & Charging them to the American States & forwarding an acct. of what they have had to me. I find some of them are rather extravagant in taking up Stores. Some Care must be had to that. They are also to be furnish'd with Pilots at the expense of the American States & Insured by the States . . . . . Find the Casks to come in very bad order, the heads not lin'd, many of them the Hoops not nailed, which not only makes it very Troublesom to handle, but occasions a considerable loss. It is very necessary to have the Cask in good order as they are Carried from place to place Some more convenient as they pass through many hands, if the weight is mark'd on each cask . . .