Gentlemen

By Directions of the continental Congress, we have sent the Vessell by which this goes, to procure from you a Quantity of Gun-Powder for the Use of the Armies now actually in the Field for the Service of America. The frequent severe Skirmishes in the Neighbourhood of Boston have so exhausted their Magazine, that an immediate Supply is absolutely necessary

We entreat you to purchase all that can be bought in Town; & to dispatch this Vessel with it for this Place as soon as possible; Together with as much as can be spared out of the Public Stock without Danger to your own Safety

Shoud there be any damaged Powder on Hand please send it also, as it may be recovered here

By one of the Resolutions-enclosed to the General Committee you'l see that it is recommended to the Southern Colonies to secure all the Salt Petre that can be got as well from the Stores as from private persons,² which, as you have no Powder Mills erected or Persons skilful in making Gun Powder, we would advise may be sent to be manufactured here ー Shoud you be able to send more than four Thousand Weight of Powder we woud wish the overplus may be sent by some other Opertunity

In order to prevent Suspicion we have sent [blank] Bushells of Indian Corn in this Vessell which may be sold or exchanged for Rice, in which the Casks of Powder may be concealed so, perhaps as to prevent Suspicion should she unhappily be unable to avoid being overtaken by a Cruizer

The utmost Secrecy and Dispatch are absolutely necessary

As large Quantities of Powder will be wanted we strongly recommend that you continue to import all that you can, and think it probable that large Quantity's might be got from the Government of the Havana as we can find no application there from any of these Colonies

We are, Gentlemen, [&c.]