Sir

I have obtained two Blank Commissions one of which with the Bond for the faithful discharge of the Trust &c filld up for the Sloop Mary Captn James LeMaire bearer hereof — the other now enclose toyou with the Navy Book of the Rules & Regulations respecting Prizes &c We agreed with Captn LeMaire that you should purchase his Sloop Mary, which I find he values at 2000 Dollars the whole, however you are to make the Bargain or get [her] valued by honest Men judges of her worth 1/3d to be for [your] Acct 1/3d for my Acct & I/ 3d on his Acct She is to receive a cargo from you for the Continent for which you are to fix freight on reasonable &honest terms he will come &deliver [the] Cargo on this Coast & carry you another back if you [desir]e it or go on a Cruize as may be deemed best you will [arm] & equip her according to what you propose she should [do] the freight should bear some proportion to the strength & the Expence thereof — perhaps while you are getting [together] the Cargo Captn LeMaire may take some prizes [in the] River if any English should come there& I wish to [have] satisfaction for what I have lost in this Way Should [these be] taken on our joint Acct you will make the most [of them] and Credit me for my Share the Nt Pceeds—

I intend to send a Memorial to the Court of Spain [requi]ring Satisfaction for the Seizure of our Brigt whilst at New Orleans but shall wait a full State of the Facts when I send it to Spain I will send you a Copy of it with a list of what may be wanting to support the Claim which you [will] send from New Orleans but it will not do to put in [claims] for other persons unless they are Actually Subjects of these States.

The Blank Commission that I send you may make use of ifoccasion presents to fit out a Boat or Sloop when an Oppty presents to make prize of any Vessell or Vessells British Property in the River or if you think it best you may fit out a Privateer therewith but great Care must be taken that all the Rules of Congress are strictly complied with I think you &Captn LeMaire should keep it perfectly Secret that you have any such Commission wishing you all imaginable Success I am Sir Yours &c

P S Since writing the above I have agreed with Captn LeMaire for two thirds of his Sloop Mary for at the rate of 2000 Dollars the whole thereof you are to pay for said two thirds on Arrival one half on my Accot & the other half on yours & we [are] entitled to our Share of any Prizes she may take on her Passage

Yours R^t M