Messrs

Notwithstanding my utmost Exertions I am not yet able to put to Sea for Want of Men — Indeed the difficulty in this Respect Surpasses what I ever Imagined — I have been Indefatigable in my Endeavours to fit the Ph[o]enix compleatly that she may fully Answer the Intention; at the same Time keeping that Line of Economy in View that nothing is superfluous. I believe there is scarce a Vessell of her Size fitted out of America, better calculated & furnish'd for Warr, than she is; and now have Thirteen Weeks Provision on Board for Eighty Men—But all these Advantages signify nothing so long as she is oblidged to lay by for want of Mariners. So many men have sail'd from this part of the Continent of late (a Considerable Proportion has fell into the Hands of the Enemy) That it is extremely difficult by any means to procure Sailors —The Commanders of Continental Vessells of Warr, although they give Wages, pay advance Money &c. yet are oblidged to lay in Port, or go out half mann'd— Instances of which are recent in the Alfred, now in this Port, and the Frigate at Portsmouth, who have now but about 120 Men each, and, I am inform'd are to put to Sea with the first favourable Wind —

Upon the Whole, I would beg leave just to suggest, whether it would not be best for you, and all Persons concern'd to dispose of this Vessell to the Continent, &send me a Continental Commission for that purpose; or put her on the same Terms as to Wages and Prize Money as those in that Service now are?

I mean not to dictate; but be assured I have your Interest very much at Heart, & should be loth to amuse you with flattering prospects, when the Case is really otherways —

I have some very good Officers under me, one of which is just return'd from a Journey of Sixty Miles which he has been in Order to engage Men for the Service of your Vessell, but could not procure one —

I have been at this Place with the Vessell above a Week & have with great difficulty enter'd 4 or 5 Hands, but fear I shall get no more. The whole Number now belonging to the Vessell, Including Officers, is but about thirty— And many of them are uneasy, as the most probable Season for takeing Prizes is almost past. Another Reason for my proposing to you the Makeing her Continental property, is the probability that an Embargo will take Place directly, on account of the Enemy's late Movements, when certainly no private armed Vessell will be permitted to Sail —

In short, I am in great Perplexity. I shall however continue the most unremitting Diligence for the Service of my Employers — in the mean Time would beg of you to write Immediately, directing me what mode of Conduct to pursue in Case of being oblidged to Return to Boston before I can proceed on a Cruize — I am, with Respect Gentn [&c.]