[Extract]
Dear Sir,

I rec'd your Favor yesterday by Capt Palmer. I will chearfully do every Thing in my Power to have the Gallies immediatly fitted for Use. I fear we shant be able to supply them with Men from this Post as we have but few Watermen among the Troops here. Capt Palmer I think might be able to get a Number from the Country as he has considerable Influence with the People that woud best Suit, but he, from some Conversation which happend at Genl McDougal's Yesterday wishes to decline the Command of the Shark. He thinks his Appointment disagreeable to Genl McDougal & that this might render him unhappy in the Service. You may remember I ment'd him as an Active brave Man which I dare say he is, but not possessed of much of any experience as a Sea Officer in the Fighting Way &I mentioned a Certain Capt Leycraft as an old Privateer Capt who Genl McDougal thought well of as a Suitable Man to command the Gally. . . .

1. George Clinton Papers, no. 554, N.Y. Arch.