[Extract]

. . . I am now Applying myself with all diligence to the Business of the Navy Board in order to answer as far as I am Able Your Expectations & those of the publick. I am greatly Embarrassed with the forming A Con­stitution, the General Courts setting this week, & the Naval Affairs, even if every thing in the last was as I could wish, but I think it peculiarly Unhappy that we Enter on this Business when the Circumstances of the Fleet are far from being such as promises any Hopes that we can gratify the Expectations of the people by our utmost Exertions, especially as they are well pleased with the Appointment of such A Board, and Consequently their Expecta­tions run high. The Raleigh and Alfred are gone to Sea from Portsmouth, the Ranger just ready to sail, will go in A few days under the Immediate orders of the Marine Committee. Three Ships shut up in Providence in A Manner without Men,² one in Connecticut River,³ never to be got out without the greatest difficulty & risque even if there was no Enemy to prevent it, & A Ship Constantly watching her. The Boston in this Harbour the only remaining Ship in our department, & She in A Condition far from being Agreable. A great Misunderstanding between the Capt & his officers, who it is said will not again go to Sea with him, and who say he never will again Man his Ship. Capt McNeil's reputation on his first appointment, was Extreemly good. it seems to be now reversed. The last Cruise was at first very Successful, but did not End so. there was certainly great Blame somewhere. I wont pretend to say where. he lays it on Manley, as you may see by his Letters to the Marine Committee, while his officers dont scruple to say that if he had followed Manley's orders we might have had not only the Fox, but the Flora, and Rainbow. we are not Invested with powers to Appoint or even suspend officers but this matter should be Enquired into. we have ordered him to Equip his Ship for the Sea, & Man her Immediately, and if it can be done shall send her to sea. we shall next Enquire into the state of the Providence Ships & the practicability of geting them out. we have wrote to the Marine Committee for money & the resolves & regulations of Congress relative to the Navy, both of which we are destitute of, & can do very little without. large Sums of Money are now wanted. do Exert yourself to Ac­celerate their Motions in forwarding them to us. . . .