Gentlemen
As you have most Cheerfully undertaken the Building of a Frigate of War for the Service of the United Colonies we cannot too much commend Your Zeal nor be too warm in our Exhortations for the Continuance of it ー The Dimensions of the ship you are to Build are fixed, and a draft made, we doubt not you will conform as Strictly as Possible to both, and produce as Compleat and good a Ship as those Dimentions & that Draft will admit of ー You Know there are four to be Built in this Port. One in New Hamshire Two in Rhode Island; Two in Massachusets Bay, one in Connecticut, Two in New York, and one in Mary Land. This Port has Double the Number of any other Colony, which was Claim'd as due to our Ship Carpenters, who are more Numberous and we hope will prove on this Occasion, to have greater Abilities in their profession than their Neighbours ー
Gentlemen your Honor and the honor of this Province is at stake, but we doubt not you will compleat your Business so well, and so Soon, that the publick Voice will declare in your favour ー As we are appointed Commissioners under Authority of Congress for having these Ships Built and fitted, we have Empowered Messrs William Pollard, Francis Grice, Samuel Penrose, & David Thomson to act as Timer Commissioners, with powers to buy and take charge of all Timber, plank &c. necessary for compleating these Ships, they will keep an exact amount of all that is bought, and an Account of what is apply'd to the use of each ship; therefore you must apply to them for all Timber, Plank and Trenals wanted for your Ship and they will supply the Same as fast as wanted ー We have appointed Messrs James Carige James Wharton Nathaniel Falkner [Falconer] and William Davis Commissioners for providing Rigging, ship Chandlery and other stores, and when any thing is wanted by you that falls within their department, they will supply it on application ー
Messrs Benjamin Fuller, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Isaac Hazelhurst and Clement Biddle are appointed commissioners of accounts, and the whole accounts that relate to those ships are to undergoe their Inspection and Correction ー
Mr Woolman Sutton is appointed superintendant and Mr John Ashmead Clerk of your Ship Yard ー They will form a Muster Roll of all Persons employd to work on or about your ship and Keep a regular account of the time they do work, they will procure Labourers when needfull, they will procure work for Smiths and other Tradesmen as wanted, and in short do every service, and tender you every Assistance in their Power. ー
As Harmony amongst all Persons employed in the same Business will greatly promote the work we earnestly recommend it to you and all others to keep up good humour and good Understanding with all these boards of Commisisoners, with the Superintendants, Clerks, and with the other ship Carpenters, and all Other Tradesmen, it will Serve your country to do so, and we Know your Patriotism too well to think you want any other Spur ー In all things that we can promote this Business we shall do it by day or by Night, and we hope in due time to hold up your Conduct to all the united Colonies as deserving their Intire approbation ー We are Sirs [&c.]
