Sir

Your esteemed favor of 21st Ulto duely Appeared — At the same time I recd orders from Congress to repair immediatly to Portsmouth in order to Proceed to France in the Ship Amphitrite — I returned here a day or two Ago — And now Send you a list of Persons concerned in the capture of the Ship Alexander — the bearer Mr [Joseph] Vesey deserves to Share with the first class of Officers — however he will rest satisfied with less rather than make a difficulty — I think it Just that when there are fewer than the compliment in any classes those who belong to Such classes Are entitled to no greater Share than they could have claimed had the compliment been full — And the remainder ought to be thrown into the Part Aloted for any classes whose numbers exceeds the compliment — And this Addition with the Ten deserving Shares will I am persuaded make up a compitent share for every Officer.—

There was Seven Puncheons of Beef of about 300 lb each and twenty six Bags of Bread of about 100 lb each taken out of the Melish for the Use of the Alfred, but the Value must lay with you to determine. — As I wish to have my Affairs Sittled before my departure from the continent — you will much Oblige me by forwarding my three twentieths of the Alexander, as Commodore Hopkins has no title to any Part — I should also be glade of whatever Part of the Proceeds of the Ship Melish & Brigantine Active you can consistently transmit at present — the remainder when my Pretentions are determined in consequence of Your Application to Congress thro' Captn Bradford — I thank You for your last. letter and am with due respect Sir [&c.]