Sir

Major Tupper the bearer of this will inform your Excellency in what manner he has conducted with the two Vessels taken by him at the Vinyard, it is therefore unnecessary for me to enter into particulars ー I wod just observe that Dartmouth is a place of greater safety than this Port being much less exposed to Storms & better adapted at this time for fitting out an arm'd Vessel than Plymouth (as the Cannon, if they can be had at Rhode Island, as I understand they can) may be more readily come at ー any order respecting this or any other buseness shall be obeyed with punctuality & all the despatch in my power ー I have wrote to Mr Leonard Jarvis of Dartmouth to get the Brig graved immediately, a step which Major Tupper thinks necessary, as she is very foul & full of worms ー

I wod Inform your Excellency that the Scooner Harrison
Capt Coit will sail this afternoon  weather permitting, & that the Brigatine Washington will be ready in 2 or 3 days provided Capts Martendal & Bowen can procure the Cannon & get them from Bristol in season, these Gentlemen set out last Wednesday on that business, I have not heard from them since, the late excessive Rains must have impeded them much or they must have met with difficulty in procuring the Cannon ー no time shal[l] be lost in dispatching the Washinton, provisions are ready ー powder & Ball match rope & cartridge-paper  it will be necessary to send from head Quarters, our Town stock of powder & shott are so exhausted that we think it unsafe to spare any more, more especially as we are threatned with destru[ct]ion & know not how soon the execution [of] these threat may be attemted

I have the Honour to be with much Respect  Your Excellencys [&c.]