[Extract]

. . . I have been unhappy in reflecting that I have been no less than five times baffled in the various Services, which have been pointed out for my Honor arid benefit since my arrival at Boston in the Alfred, yet I mention not this as an excuse for my Silence, — I acknowledge that Silence to have been blameable. I have now the fairest Prospect of getting the Ranger compleatly manned — hitherto the Seamen enter even to my wish — and if Cordage and other materials can be Procured — the Ranger will be at Sea before the Raleigh as the latter is an hundred Seamen short of the compli­ment—it is astonishing that so fine a Ship should lay by for want of Hands.— Inclosed I take the Liberty of troubling you with a Copy of my Letter of 17th Currt from hence to the Honorable Marine board — Since the Receipt of your much Esteemed letter of the 5th Feby I have ardently wished for an Opportunity of distinguishing myself in an enterprising Command, similar to my then appointment — for I agree with you that "our Infant Fleet cannot protect our own Coasts" — and therefore —ought to be employ'd to draw off the Enemies attention by attacking ·their defenceless Places. I am persuaded that with, even the triffling Force mentioned in the within Letter, it is Practicable, to lay some of the Enemies Cities under contri­bution, and to do infinite damage to their shipping, I know them to be Subject to Panic under the least Surprise, and the Business probably may be effected before they have time for recollection.

I very gratefully remember, when last at Philadelphia, your kind offer of interesting yourself in my favor when any private Enterprize Should be Adopted, I could name many which in all human Probability might be effected, could we get a small Squadron together. it would give me pleasure to bear a Second or a third part in any private enterprize under the conduct of Gentlemen of superiour Abilities from whom I could receive Instruction and Improvement, at the same time I  must rely on you to guard me from future Connections with illetirate Men of incapacity, but I have already gone too far. I leave my present and future destination to the Gentlemen at whose disposal I am and whoes Orders shall govern my Actions, as Servant of the Public.

I inclose a Copy of the Paper which I drew up at· Philadelphia and put into the Hands of the President, if in forming a Navy System any useful hints should arise from this hasty, and incorrect Essay my end will be fully answered.² I cannot but lament that so little delicacy hath been Observed in the Appointment, and Promotion of Officers in the Sea Service — many of whom are not only grossly illetirate, but want even the Capacity of com­ manding Merchant Vessells. I was lately on a Court Martial where a Captain of Marines made his Mark, and where the President could not read the Oath, which he attempted to administer without Spelling and making blunders! As the Sea Officers are so Subject to be seen by foreigners, what conclusions must they draw of Americans in general from Characters so Rude & contracted.

In my Judgement the Abilities of Sea Officers ought to be as far Superiour to the abilities of Officers in the Army as the nature of a Sea Service is more complicated, and admits of a greater number of Cases than can possibly happen on the Land — therefore the discipline by Sea ought to be the more perfect and regular were it compatible with short Enlist­ments. . . .