Sir
I have had the Honor of your Excellency's Letter inclosing an Extract from Major General [William] Howe's concerning the Articles and Alterations wanting in the floating Battery Boatsー
They were fitted ashore by the Engineer's Carpenters, under the direction of Colonel [Thomas] James, and I imagine it will be more agreeable to your Excellency that these people should finish their Work and make the Alterations required ー Men shall be sent to Compleat the Complements of the three Scows ー There is no Canister Shot allowed to the fleet ー We buy Oars in Boston and at present have very few Spare ones for the Ships boats so that I cannot send any to the floating batteries.
Grape Shot, Guntackles, Hand spikes, Musquets, Cutlasses shall be delivered if your Excellency will be pleased to order an officer having charge of Ordnance Stores to receive and give proper receipts for them to the Gunners of the King's Ships.
No Receipts can yet be obtained for the Stores already Issued from the Preston for the Use of the Army ー The Captain and Gunner Consequently can not receive their pay, My Order being insufficient for that purpose, without receipts to accompany it; I shall therefore be greatly obliged to your Excellency to give directions that the proper officer may always attend to give receipts for such Stores as shall, upon Your Excellency's application, be occasionally supplied from the fleet, to prevent any delay to the Service, or detriment to the officers having charge of Stores.
Tanned Hides I believe May be got in Boston ー there are no More in each Ship than is barely sufficient for the Magazine ー however if none can be procured ashore ー One of the Ships shall part with hers. I am Sir [&c.]
