Abraham Whipple Esq^r. Comander of the Continental Ship of War the Providence actually at Paimbeuf
Sir

I am favoured with your much esteemed Letter of Yesterday in answer to which I am sorry to inform you that notwithstanding the Honourable Comissioners explicit desire M^r. William’s² Clerk refuses delivering the Continental Stores in his possession saying that he has no order from him.³ I apprehended this & therefore wrote to the H^ble Gentlemen above mentioned the 30 Inst to beg they would inclose me their imediate Comand I[t] can not therefore be a long while before I receive it tomorrow’s post will likely bring it—In the interim I have at Paimbeuf three hundred barels of Powder bought by order of M^r. Ross for account of the United States which if you think proper to take you will deliver the inclosed to M^r. Odea that will deliver them to you—this is left intirely to your choise therefore you’ll please to act as you think most proper—⁴ I cannot but much approve your impatience of getting ready as soon as possible and you may be assured that I am as much so as yourself and that had not it been for the refusal above, mentioned you would now have every thing on board, as a proof of what I here alledge, I have sent off this day a lighter with the different Goods you ordered, as the inclosed Note, in which you’ll see the Bread and Bargemen Cloathes only wanted but I shall have both these articles ready very soon—

I am very joyfull to see you are to come up saturday or Sunday as I hope you are persuaded of the pleasure it affords us all being most sincerely [&c.]

M^r. Dobree⁵ beg leave to present his respectfull Compliments to Cap Whipple & to his Officers