my dear Sir

Your favour of the 15^the. Ultimo reach'd me last Evg in wch you acknowledge Sir Patrick Houstons Rec^t. for 300 ^Dollars. & that you have noted it accordingly. I wrote under the 4^th. Instant acquainting you with Orders I had Recd from the Marine Board¹ respecting the Nanny. I am sorry they happen to thwart You in that Vesell as she is a great Pennyworth. however Sir I shall endeavour to make it up in the purchase of the Mermaid² which is a very good Ship of about 200 Tons & well found. tho the amazing difficulty of getting hands Added to the Extravagant wages we are under the Necessity of giving renders it almost Presumpstion to attempt a Concern in Navigation I note you[r] Reliance on my doing your business with as much Caution as if it was for my self You may rely on it Sir when I transact anything for you, if I Err it will be too Cautious. I have lately Rec^d an Admonition from the Marin[e] Board which felt very Sensibly it being the first Reproof I have deserved from them the Case was simply this. the Commercial Committee ordered me to fit out the Dispatch³ for Charlestown S^o Carolina. I began to equip for that Errand, when the Navy Board⁴ here apply'd to me to let hir go into the Naval Department being so fast Sailing a Brig, and being so well furnishd in france for that Purpose at a Grat Expence. I objected to their proposals being under such Orders from the Committee who had the immediate direction of that Vessell. But they at last prevaild on me to Suspend send^g her away till they should write the Committee on the Subject, which they did & I Recd for Answer that both they & I had gone out the Line of duty which was certainly true, and I am determined not to do the like again. she is not yet Saild for ten days past we have not had two working days, the Weather being so bad. M^r J. Adams⁵ has been several days on board the Boston and Yesterday Morning She Saild from Nantasket Road.⁶ am fearfull she will return again as the wind has been all this day Contrary you know Sir who Commands that Ship.⁷ I heartily wish he was equal to it. I'le venture to predict he will make a miserable figure in that Command. this I beg Sir may Remain inter nos as I dont give my Sentiments Officialy. pity it is so fine a Vessell shou'd not be under a man of a different Cast—

I rejoyce to find you have accepted and are going back to Congress. I hope this present Era, will bring proud Britain to acquiescence of our Independence that you may apply to your mercantile matters the next without being disturbed—

Cap^t. Skimmer⁸ has got a fine Brig⁹ with 16. 4^lb. Cannon he will get away in about a month, and I have great Expectations from him as has Every one who know him I am [&c.]