[Extract]
My Dear Sir,

Your two favors, of 21st and 22d were handed me the 3d inst by Mr Champney. The arrival of the Amphitrite gives me double pleasure as she has been long expected and I had in my own mind given her over for lost ー This ship has been so long from France that no intelligence can be expected from her ー a packet is daily expected with dispatches from that country-a ship with a Similar cargo to the Amphitrite is arrived at Martinico after unsuccessfully attempting to get into Some of our ports ー however we are now well furnished with materials to carry on the war, men only are wanting to use those materials . . .

I have urged the appointment of the officers for [John] Roche's ship ² and was in hopes of having it done so as to send the Commissions by this conveyance, but now despair of getting it done so soon; Roche's character is to be inquired into. I was not here when the orders were given for building that Vessel but am told the orders were to rig her a brig and that she was to mount no more than 18 guns, but have lately been informed she is built for a ship and pierced for 20 guns. I do not imagine that rigging her a ship will be very exceptionable but mounting 20 guns on her certainly will ー as that alters her rate.

A Navy Board is to be established at Boston ー the gentlemen who compose it are elected. You were in nomination, but as I thought you had rather continue in the business you are then to remove to Boston for a salary of 1500 dollars I did not urge your appointment ー the gentlemen are Mr Warren of Massachusetts, Mr Varnum [sic Vernon] of Rhode Island and Mr Deshon of Connecticut ー to them I expect the case of Capt Roche will be referred.

You will receive directions from the Committee respecting the Amphitrite ー she is to go to South Carolina. Inter nos I have not a very high opinion of the plan of sending Capt Jones in her, however if it succeeds I shall be very agreeably disappointed. You no doubt will do your endeavor to assist in procuring men &c.

Our army is daily increasing and I hope will soon be in a condition to attack the enemy and either destroy or drive them from their ports. Their Ships are Still very troublesome on this coast, though some vessels do escape them . . .