Dear Sir

I received your favour of the 20th instt informing me of Mr. [William] Lux's resignation, the Marine Commee met the day after your Letter got here, a majority of whom were of Opinion that a Letter should be wrote to Mr Lux to request him to Act in his Appointment and Mr [Robert] Morris was requested to write in behalf of the Committee to him on that Subject, they were also of Opinion in case Mr Lux should refuse, that the business should go on under the direction of yourself Mr. [Samuel] Chase & Mr [Stephen] Stewart, I should have been very glad to have had your Brother put on that Service in Mr Lux's room, but the Commee in general thought it unnecessary to add another seeing two good Men had agreed to Join Mr Chase in the service, as Mr Chase is entirely unacquainted with Ship Building, I do not expect you will be much Assisted by him, I wish you had been mentioned at first on this business, that no time might have been lost, however I make no doubt but that you will have your Ship ² ready before some of those that are building to the Northward.... I shall be glad to have a line from you when any thing Occurs and Am with Compliments to your Brother Dear Sir [&c.]