[Extract]
. . . You know, Sir, my inclination is to serve my Country in the Nav.al Department; from the experience I have had in that line and from many circumstances, I am perswaded I might be more useful in that than in any other Department of public business in the present times. But of this, my Superiors will judge. I might have brought testimonies of the services which I rendered to the Continental Vessels whilst General Ward had the care of them, by supplying them with warlike Stores, with men &c and expediting their going to Sea. Some mention of which Capt Bradford made to Mr Morris, member of the Marine Board, in his Letter to him by me; which you might see if you should think proper.
As the Naval Department is, of all others, the [illegible] the worst situation, and as it is of vast importance and affords a fine field for exertion in the service of the United States, I wish to be employed in it. I conceive then; are many things which ought to be attended to and provided immediately for the Navy, or many of the Continerntal Ships will (as in time past) lose much time in the Harbours for want of ammunition, or other necessaries to go to sea: Unless large quantities of Shot of all sizes, from-grape, to twelve pounders, are cast soon, the water at the several Works may fail, as it did the last Summer, and difficulties arise in obtaining a supply. It will take time to form a Laboratory, and prepare every thing requisite for furnishing Ships of War with fighting materials, and unless these matters are attended to very soon and pursued with spirit, many times ten thousands Sterling may slip through our slack fingers this Campaign. Many small Vessels are at sea, and going, that will want frequent supplies of various kinds which the Agents cannot furnish, in the military way, and therefore will require large quantities, beside what the Frigates may want. You will excuse these observations, as you cannot be every where to see with your own eyes.
When I was at Philadelphia you mentioned some Gentlemen who might be thought of to be employed in the Naval Department, there is a Capt Augustus Fellows in Boston who has been employed in building Ships, and sailing in them, I take him to be [a] capable man in such business and a man of activity and spirit, and apprehend he would do great service in such a Department. . .
