[Extract]
Sir

Your several favours under the 16th, 21st & 23d I but this hour at 11 O Clock Receiv'd tho' I was twice at the Lodgings of the post early in the morning to enquire after Letters but he was out, the list of names is gone forward for Capt [John Paul] Jones to sign, its fate I shall soon know, I return them by post I am pleas'd to hear the providence has 25 Barrells provission on board, as its next to impossible to get any round, that quantity I presume is sufficient for her Cruise, and I trust you will be able either to [illegible] bread or get flour Baked up to supply them, in regard to her future Cruise I suppose Capt Rathbourn [John Peck Rathbun] who is now with you has his orders how to proceed from the marine Board,². . .

In answer to the disputes arising between Capt Jones & his Officers Relative to the distribution of their shares its impossible for me to say how it must be determined, and at present as things are situated to the southward, its not probable we shall soon hear from them, in short every reasonable man must know that the Congress can't give attention to those matters at present, & tho' it effects individuals, —less things must give way to greater, and they must wait —