Gentlemen

Your Letter of the 14th instant arrived yesterday and is the only one we have received from you respecting the Randolph Frigate altho it is a considerable Time since we heard of her putting into your Port dismasted. From what you write she will be fitted and ready for the sea by the Time this reaches [you], and it is sent by Express that the Orders may arrive in Time.

We very chearfully express our approbation of your Conduct in employing the Schooner Lewis Captain Stevens to assist in taking up the anchor and cable you mention, as well as in making a purchase of the Schooner Betsey to continue that service and shall acquiese in such reasonable reward as you may think a proper recompence for the services of Mr Richard H[ea]rn in this business, never doubting but you will have due regard to the Interest of our Infant Country, which will have to struggle with A heavy debt after the present contest is ended. It is the duty of every individual to take what care they can for the States but more particularly it is the duty of all Public officers, and we are persuaded your Conduct will bear the proper Marks of OEconomy. Under this persuasion we desire the continuance of your endeavours to save what can be saved of the Anchors, Cables, Guns or Stores of that Fleet which suffered such distress in their Attack on fort Moultree as forced them to leave these things behind them. As the increasing of our Navy will be A constant object it will be necessary to purchase suitable Materials and Stores whenever they can be met with in these states. The Acteons Anchor will no doubt come into use before long and you will please to purchase it on the lowest terms in your power; the price of the best Anchors made here before the price of Labour was raised by our inlistments was fr½d this Currency per lb: but an Anchor suitable for the Public service and obtained as a prise should not be heid iri proportion to the general state of enormus Prices that too much prevail through the Continent at this time. You must purchase this and such other Materials and Stores suitable for the Navy as you meet with them, as cheap as possible. The Experiments Cable had best be unlaid and as you propose made up into small Rigging, we mean that of 40 fathom. The whole Cable may remain as well as the Anchors until we order them for the use of Some of the ships now building. The Other Anchors and Cables not delivered to Captain [Nicholas] Biddle may remain for the same purpose & when you have finished the business of taking them up, you'l send us a return of all that remains after the Randolph is gone

We shall order you to be Credited for the amount of the supplies to the schooner Lewis, sloop Hornet and Ship Randolph in due time and you will furnish the Accounts and vouchers for those supplies We understand there are some of the Acteons Guns that have been saved by the state of south Carolina, we wish to purchase them as we find some dificulty in getting Guns cast fast enough ー These Guns are not so suitable for the Land as for the sea service and we hope the state will part with them. If they agree give us immediate notice that we send for them, but should they refuse to sell they will probably exchange, We are told the Guns are 9 Pounders and it may be in our power to procure 9 Pounders of the long sort which are fitter for fortification. If any of those ships Guns still remain in the water you will no doubt use your utmost endeavours to have them taken up & we flatter ourselves that success will attend you. The service Captain Biddle is now Ordered upon being urgent and the objects in veiw important, we 'request your utmost exertions to get him out to sea as soon after the receipt of this Letter as it possibly can be done. with much esteem we remain Gentn [&c.]

P:S: As Mr Clarkson wishes to leave Carolina for a few Months, we can have no objection as you will take care that the public bussiness does not suffer thereby. You'l mention to Mr Ceronio the articles he had best to ballast the returning Ships with.