Philadelp. 27th Decr 1775
[Extract]
If the Comee for building those Vessels in our Colony had been appointed by Congress I should have taken Care to have had You appointed one of the Comee but as a Comee of Congress is appointed to carry into Execution the Resolve for building the Fleet it is out of my Power. Mr [Stephen] Hopkins, being on the naval Comee before, is one. I have mentioned it to him, or rather I believe read him part of your letter; through hurry I have forgot to mention it to him again
...As the Continent has taken Whipple into their Service I wish the Colony would build such an one as we had the War before last, or a larger one; the Time which we have to prepare in against the Spring is very short, not a Moment is to be lost;...
1. Knollenberg, ed., Ward Papers, 149-52.