Sir —
Capt. [William] Rogers and his crew are so very urgent to receive their proportion of prize money and wages, due on their former cruises, that I have thought it best for the captain to wait on Convention in person, in order that the terms he entered into our service upon may be ascertained to the satisfaction of both parties, which agreement I understand was only a verbal one. Should Mr. Lewis not be returned to Convention, you will please to advance to Capt. Rogers whatever sum may be necessary for the purposes mentioned in my letter under date of 5th instant, upon receipt of which I shall be careful to enter upon a settlement with them. I have consulted Govr. Trumbull respecting the Montgomery. He was so polite as to offer me the use of any port within this State for the purposes of rendering her safer and fitting her out,'but declines permitting my receiving any hands on board belonging to this State; I must therefore endeavour to man her with refugees from our State. The reason of this prohibition is, that no obstruction be given to completing their quota of the Continental army. I should be glad to know, by Capt Rogers, whether it is agreeable to you that I should engage him for a future cruise, on the terms he exacts. I am, with much esteem, sir [&c.]
To the Honourable Abraham Ten Broeck, Esq.
President of the Convention of the State of New-York.
