Sir

Mr Plumer returned this Afternoon with 500 Flints ー for which I will pay ー Also a Resolve of the General Assembly, for Capt W Johnson of the Schooner Britania, to deliver me four half Barrells of Powder for the Use of the [Truck] House at Penobscot. But Alas! p a Packett Mr Cross will deliver You you'll see the Resolve must be in Vain ー

The Supply of this Or at least 2 or 3 half Barrells appears to me so absolutely necessary to support our miraculous Union with the Indians, that I should have dispatched Plumer back tomorrow on the same Errand ー But finding Mr Cross intends being with you as soon, I have desired him to Make immediate Application for this Powder ー And If possible to be procured to forward here by Saturday Morning ー I will reserve in my Hands the fifty pounds You mentioned in the Resolve to be the Price, & send down on Receipt of the Powder ー The Vessell will be ready to go to Sea by Saturday 11 oClock ー Should the Province have no Powder ー I think General Washington would spare it on having the Case represented ー For how would it appear to our new Allies, When We cannot furnish them with a little Powder absolutely essential to their Subsistance and Defence? ー Youll favor me with an Answer immediately whether I may rely on this Essential Article or no ー As the Vessell may b[e] detained on Uncertainty. ー I am compleating the Invoices made out by Mr Prebble, which will hand You As soon as finished ー I refer you to Mr Cross for my Sentiments of that as well as the Agent Who is to deal with the Indians ー

Mr Craft delivered me your Favors of 23 Currant ー General Sullivan had sent an Express to Johnson for his Powder which suppose is on the Road ー I therefore had only to let him Mr Craft know this ー I wish Johnson had enough to supply all Our Wants ー We have daily Applications for Powder ー some in real Distress ー particularly Beverly ー To Portsmouth in their present Danger We have spared, tho' almost guilty of Sacriledge to Ourselves ー

This Town is doing every Thing in their Power to serve themselves ー filling up the Channell building a floating Battey ー Fire Rafts ー Entrenchments &c for which I refer to Mr Cross

In haste Your [&c.]

[You'll] forward me Orders what shall be done with the Schooner, As Capt Johnson may probably wait at Townsend for Orders how to proceed Which would add Expence to the already bad Voyage